216 ORTHOPTERA OF NOVA SCOTIA—PIERS. 
its ravages, has occupied the attention of all agriculturists and 
economic entomologists. It occurs from 53° north latitude or 
even nearly to the Arctic circle, to the north of Mexico, and from 
ocean to ocean. With femur-rubrum it has, perhaps, a greater 
range than any other species of North American Acridide. To 
an unpracticed eye, it can be easily mistaken for the less 
destructive femur-rubrum, from which it has only of recent 
years been separated by the late Prof. Riley. ‘To distinguish it, 
a minute examination of the last abdominal segment and the 
cerci of the male is necessary. ‘The former is notched in the 
present species, and the latter are of uniform width and rounded 
at the end, instead of tapering as in femur-rubrum. The 
females are very difficult to distinguish, these differences being 
inapplicable to that sex. 
Although I have examined hundreds of specimens of femuwr- 
rubrum collected about Halifax during the past summer, yet I 
have found but few of the present species. A male was taken on 
August 29th in a dry field, two more were taken in short, poor 
grass on Camp Hill, September 28th, and another was captured 
at Cow Bay, October 2nd. I think it probable, however, that it 
will be found more frequently in such situations as Camp Hill. 
Last fall the Marine and Fisheries Department gave me some 
locusts that had been taken on Sable Island, off the coast of 
Nova Scotia, on September 23rd, 1894. Upon examination they 
proved to be M. atlanis, one male and three females. I was 
told that these insects had suddenly become a frightfnl scourge 
upon the island, insomuch as to demand attention from the 
authorities in charge. Mr. R. J. Boutilier, superintendent of the 
place, informs me that up to about 1891, he had neither seen 
nor heard of any locusts upon the island. About that time, 
however, they made their appearance, and since then have 
increased at an appalling rate. So destructive did they become, 
that in 1894 it was only possible to cunt one load of hay ata place 
where fourteen loads had previously been obtained. They seem 
to attack the grass near the root, and unless kept in check they 
will ultimately destroy what little vegetation there is upon the 
