Jin, Xing-Bao, ( bibliography Shanghai Institute of Entomology, Academia Sinica 225 Chongqing Road (S.), Shanghai, China 200025 Tel. 8621-3282039 Fax 8621-3284924 Illustration from Er-Ya (ca. 500-200 B.C.), copied from Meng, 1993 Cicada (top three and crickets (bottom two) glyphs from Zhow, 1980 Listen to the Cricket by Bei Ju-Yi, Tang dynasty The Singing cricket chirps throughout the long night, tolling in the cloudy autumn with its rain. Intent on disturbing the gloomy sleepless soul, the cricket moves towards the bed chirp by chirp. Cricket by Yi ? Ming dynasty What's the matter with the crickets? Their sad melodies fill the night. So few they are, yet so loud their song. It cuts through the breeze and coagulates in the drizzle. No sleep in sight for the anxious lady within her home. Poem of Luo Wei by Zhang Shi, Ming dynasty (Luo Wei is also called "Fang Zhi Niang," meaning weaving lady.) From Dawn to dusk the weaving lady sings without break. Never yielding a single thread there is nothing to its name. The spider, in silence spins and weaves without break. The woven net catches the fly and provides food. The fruits of effort rather than sound cause me to heave a sigh. Shanghai Cricket Club in 1885 copied from Ho et al, 1989 | |
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