ORTHOPTERA. 



301 



Locusts are very abundant in many parts of tlie world. In 

 Qrthern countries, where they multiply less rapidly, their ravages are 

 ;ss disastrous, though still very considerable. But in the southern 

 ortions of the globe they are a perfect pest — the eighth plague of 

 ;gypt. Certain species multiply in such a prodigious manner, that 

 ley lay waste vast spaces of land, and in a very short time reduce 

 hole countries to the very last state of miser)\ These insects inflate 

 lemselves with air, and undertake journeys during which they travel 



Fig. 308. — Locust {Acridiiivi [(Edijioda] niigraturiuni). 



lOre than six leagues a day, laying waste all vegetation on their 

 )ad. 



The most destructive species is the Migratory Locust i^Acridiiun [or 

 Edipoda] migratorhwt, Fig. 308), which is very common in Africa, 

 Adia, and throughout the whole of the East. Isolated specimens of 

 lis insect are to be found in the meadows round about Paris, 

 specially towards the end of the summer, and, very rarely, in 

 ingland. This species is greenish, with transparent elytra of a dirty 

 rey, whitish wings, and pink legs. A second species, the Italian 

 )cust, also does a great deal of damage in the south. All the species 

 ndergo five moults, which take six weeks each. The last takes 

 lace at the end of the hot weather, towards the autumn. 



It is especially in warm climates that they become such fearful 

 ests to agriculture. Wherever they alight, they change the most 

 irtile country into an arid desert. They are seen coming in in- 

 umerable bands, which, from afar, have the appearance of stormy 



