65 



most likely with each and all of tbem, Ouce ou the ground you can see for yourself 

 just what will be necessary to be done in order to bring about this result. You should 

 also endeavor to place the Department in correspondence with as many observers as 

 you can interest in the subject, and should by all means endeavor to get at least one 

 person who will be able to devote some time to the matter and to continue observa- 

 tions after you return. You will inquire immediately upon arriving in Melbourne 

 concerning the largest orange-growing districts in Australia, and also make inquiries 

 as to the best places for observing Icertja, aside from Adelaide. If you will visit the 

 Botanic Gardens in Melbourne you will be able to get some information there. Baron 

 Von Mueller, formerly director of the Botanic Garden, is still a resident of that city, 

 and you will find him a very well-informed person to consult. I inclose letters of in- 

 troduction both to Mr. Crawford and to Baron Von Mueller. 



We shall hope for good results from Mr. Koebele's investigation, for 

 we have no one connected with us who is more careful, capable, and 

 persistent in field investigations. 



New England Butterflies — We are glad to learn from Mr. Scudderthat 

 his great work on New England Butterflies is now rapidly printing, and 

 he hopes to get the first part out early in the autumn. From what we 

 know of this publication and the great care and ability of the author, 

 we anticipate the most thorough and creditable piece of entomological 

 work ever published in this country. 



NOTES ON THE ROCKY iJEOUNTAIN LOCUST. 



West Point, Nebr., 



August 28, 1888. 



Dear Sir: In accordance with your letter of instructions accom- 

 panying that of the honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, I left home 

 on the 9th day of the present month for a short tour of the northwest- 

 ern portion of this State and adjoining portions of Dakota and Wyoming, 

 to examine into the subject of the Rocky Mountain Locust, so as to be 

 able to report as to its future possible depredations ; also to collect 

 the various species of locusts to be met with at the different localities 

 where halts were made. 



I accordingly made the first halt at Valentine, near Fort Niobrara. 

 Here, although it rained and was cloudy during the entire day, quite a 

 number of very interegting locusts were captured. Among these but 

 two specimens of the migratory species were found, although special 

 search was made for that particular kind. Inquiry among the sur- 

 rounding settlers and officers of the fort proved the almost entire ab- 

 sence of the pest for a considerable number of years. 



At Chadron a second stop was made. Here, also, collections were 

 made, with fair success ; but not a specimen of M. spretus found or re- 

 ported by the many persons interviewed. Here the " Bad Lands " fur- 



