26 ORTHOPTERA. 



distinct species, to retain the specific name raorbillosus for the African species, and to give 

 a new name to the Chinese species. 



Wlien tliis insect is at rest, the wings are folded and much of its beauty is concealed ; 

 but when these are expanded, its appearance is altogether magnificent. It has nothing 

 of the shining and metallic splendour of the Coleoptera, for its colours are translucent, 

 and assume their richest hues when they pass before the light. The elytra are purple, 

 variegated with yellow ; the wings of a glowing crimson, spotted with black ; the 

 abdomen is surrounded with alternate zones of black and yellow, and the legs are 

 throughout of an elegant scarlet, inferior only in brightness to the coral red of the head 

 and thorax. Upon the whole, this species is embellished with such a profusion of 

 various and beautiful colours, that it may be considered as a most splendid example of 

 the Linneean Hemipterous order of insects. It is represented on the Iris Cliinoi.sis in a 

 Hying position. 



This is not supposed to be a numerous species in China ; on the contrary, it is 

 probably uncommon. Several others of the locust are abundant in that country, and in 

 seasons favourable to their increase do incredible mischief.* Both the Locusta tartarica 

 and Locusta migratoria inhabit Tartary on the northern confines of China, from whence, 

 at certain periods, they descend like an impetuous torrent over the neighbouring 

 countries in quest of food, strip the earth of verdure, and scarcely leave the vestige 

 of vegetation behind them. The Locusta migratoria, whose myriads are said to darken 

 the face of heaven in their flights, sometimes direct their course westward, cross rivers, 

 sea, and an immense extent of country, till they reach Europe ; and though many are 

 lost in these bold migrations, the survivors are in suflRcient numbers to commit vast 

 depredations. This species has been known to visit England, t but not in any 

 abundance. In Little Tartary and the European provinces of Turkey, in Italy, and m 

 Germany, J they do great mischief in these migrations. The Locusta flavicornis and 



* " Famines sometimes happen in this part of the province ; in some seasons inundations produced by 

 torrents from tlie mountains, and as often the depredations of locusts, are causes of this disaster." {Sir 

 J. Staunton, Cliap. on Tien-sing.) 



t The last appearance of this species in England was in 1748. Donovan had specimens of it from Smyrna, 

 Germany, and China, and deemed it too common and general an inhabitant to merit a figure as a Chinese 

 insect. 



X Roesel speaks of this locust infesting the provinces of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania, in such 

 immense numbers in the years 1747, 1748, and 1749, that an Imperial and Royal Hnngarian edict was 

 issued, with printed instructions for the best means of exterminating them. {Ber Heuschrecktn-und 

 Crillensammlung, Sj-c. Sfc. vol. II. page 193.) 



