Cricket

[Du. krekel; Ger. grille; W. criciad, cricell, cricket, and cricellu, to chirp, to chatter; Lat. gryllus; Fr. grill on.] (Zool.) The Gryllides, a family of insects, sub-order Orthoptera, which comprises "the crickets of the hearth," the mole-crickets, and the gra hoppers. The crickets are distinguished from the other members of this family by their long antennæ, and by the comparative smallne of their thighs. Their bodies are short, thick-set, and soft, with the head, corselet, and abdomen of equal length and breadth; the elytra, which do not completely cover the belly, are curved squarely, and are not roof-shaped, as in the locust and gra hopper. In the winged species the wings exceed Fig. 721.-HOUSE-CRICKET, ( Gryllus domestic us.) tar, where, through the long evenings, it chirps continuously. Its monotonous chant is considered very amusing by some; by others, whose temperaments are of a nervous nature, it is thought to be disagreeable and irritating. In the summer, the C. takes its departure, and finds an abode in the crevices of garden-walls, and similar places. At this season it does not forget its melody; but, on the contrary, it is said to chirp more pertinaciously on fine nights. Shakspeare, Milton, Cowper, and many other poets have noticed the chirp of The Cricket on the Hearth. On it Dickens has written some humorous pages, which, perhaps, will survive many of his larger productions. - The Field - cricket is much larger, and also rarer, than the preceding: it is also more noisy. It is of a blackish color, with a large head in proportion to the body, and full, prominent eyes. It frequents hot sandy districts, in which it forms its burrow at the side of foot-paths, ., in situations exposed to the sun, to the depth of from 6 to 12 inches; and sits at the mouth of it, watching for its prey, which consists of other insects. - See MOLE-CRICKET.