The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-01-26
The Most Curious and Interesting InseC
in the EntnmnI nricnl Kinndnr,,

The Most Curious and Interesting Insect
in the chronological Kingdom.
veteran weather observer of Nor
wich, Connecticut, says; ''The meteor
illogical eccentricities this season have
completely nonplussed and stultified us.
Even the believers in weather saws
have seen their pet sayings confuted.
For instance, there is no more trust
worthy or generally accepted weather
81 n than the old country saying that
the first fall of snow will occur exactly
six weeks after the first katydid Is
heard. Sometimes its note is first
sounded late in July, and oftener not
until the first or second week in August,
but whether it is July or August,
the old saw is almost Invariably
Verihed. Sometimes the first will fall
TWO or three days earlier and some
times two or thee days later, but AL
ways near enough to the predicted time
10 make the omen wonderful and re-
liable one.
This year the first katydids in this
part OF the country, were heard on tho
night OF August IA, and less than two
weeks later, in the last week of the same
month; there We're two heavy frosts that
aid much damage throughout New
England. Some wise men think that il
is the first appearance of the fall cricket
and not of the katydid, that is the pre-
cursor OF frost six weeks later. But
tnere Is no satisfaction in taking that
view this season, as the first fall erick eft
appeared week earlier than the KATY
dld-un the evening of August T."
Inc katydid is one of the most cur
lous ana interesting insects in the en-
tomolOglcal kingdom. In it's habits il
IS exceedingly clannish, and its predi-
lection for certain localities and ap-
parent distaste for others that seem 10
be equally eligible and inviting are in
eSphcable. Year after year it appears
IN uncounted numbers among the trees
IN the locality it affects, while quarter
OF mile away, in place equally en-
powered, not note is ever heard, ex-
cept, perhaps of an insect that has
strayed away from the crowd and is
gradually winging its way back. In
Hartford, and in all the cities in New
England whose streets are bordered by
trees, there are certain avenues that re-
sound halt the night with the harsh,
clocklng concerts of innumerable katy
dds, while on tho next thoroughfare.
though it offers every inducement in
the way OF foliage, not a katydid is
heard.
The same popularity of the insects is
noticeable in the woods, there being
certain quarters that they frequent in
armies and others thatthey persistently
avoid. The fall cricket, which in ap-
pearanco seems to be distant rela-
tive of the katydid, is evidently not
strongly marked by tho bump of
! locality, evincing no fastidiousness in
the choice OF singing box. 1t takes its
| place i'll tail TUT of grass or on the
highest bough of an elm with equal in
difference. 1t is solitary insect, avoid.
ing crowds and singing exclusively for
the entertainment and solace OF its
equally lonely and melancholy mate.
Its note is sad and mournful, seemingly
a droning negation in the debate, ais
life worth living?"
The katydid is native of this CONT
nent. 1t IS sort of night grasshopper,
though of a purer, paler green, more
slender ofbody and ethereal in its gem
eral expression. Its organ of sound is
a transparent elastic membrane, in q
strong oval frame in each of the wing
covers. These membranes, by the over.
tapping OF the wing covers, can be made
10 rub against one another, and the
sound is produced by the friction. Tn,
concert begins at evening twilight, be
comes more clamorous about 9 or Il
O'Clock, and ends at midnight. Occes
lonally a solitary, drowsy claclk may bl
heard AMOUR or two later. The katy
did does not sing constantly; the note
follow each other in rapid succession 70
! a few moments, after which there is
pause OF two or three minutes Phila
delphia Call.