REPORT OF OBSERVATIONS IN THE NORTHWEST ON THE ROCKY 
MOUNTAIN LOCUST. 
By LAWRENCE BRUNER. 
WASHINGTON, D. C., December 1, 1882. 
Sir: Herewith I submit a report of my trip to the Northwest during 
the past summer, made under your direction, for the purpose of procur- 
ing additional data and facts in reference to the history and habits of 
the Rocky Mountain Locust (Caloptenus spretus), and particularly such 
data as would permit of definite conclusions as to the prospects for the 
year 1883. . 
In company with Mr. J. H. Mockett, jr., of Lincoln, who acted as my 
assistant, I left West Point, Nebraska, on the 20th of June, going by 
rail to Bismarck, Dakota, and from this point proceeded by river to 
Fort Benton, Montana, stopping off at such points as we thought would 
be of interest in the furtherance of our projects. 
On our arrival at Fort Benton we learned that the only practical 
route by which to reach Fort McLeod, British America, was by stage 
direct from this point. We accordingly chose this means of reaching 
that point, knowing that, although not exactly what you desired, it 
would take us through at least a portion of the country suitable for and 
at times occupied by C. spretus for breeding grounds. 
On reaching Fort McLeod we found matters so entirely opposite to 
what we had anticipated they would be, that we not only deemed it de- 
sirable, but also profitable, to ourselves to seek quarters outside of mili- 
tary reign and closer to the mountains. We accordingly embraced the 
first opportunity,and went up to the old Government saw-mill,45 miles 
to the westward, where we wentintocamp. At this locality we remained 
four weeks, devoting the time to the objects of the trip. Here we also 
had a boat built in which to reach the lower Saskatchewan. Of course 
we might have accomplished the same object by team with guide and 
outfit; but we concluded that this would have been too expensive in 
this region. The river journey also offered several inducements that 
the other did not, viz., an opportunity of examining the country on both 
sides of the river, while, at the same time, all risk of losing the outfit 
by theft, which would be liable to occur by team, was avoided. 
After proceeding along the Saskatchewan as far as the mouth of 
Seven Persons’ River, we came to a settlement called Medicine Hat. 
Here we learned that Fort Walsh could be reached without difficulty. 
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