66 



nisbed a species of Tritnerotropis which maybe new, as did the grassy 

 bluffs near Valentine one belonging to tbe genus Mesops. 



The next halt was made at Buffalo Gap, Dak., where I took the 

 stage for Hot Springs, a point 15 miles distant and mucli better situ- 

 ated for making collections in the Acridhue. A portion of two days was ' 

 spent here and some collections made, with the result of greatly extend- 

 ing the known range of a number of species. No new material was 

 found. 



From this latter place I hired a team, in company with a commercial 

 man, to Custer. At this place much interesting material was taken, 

 and Harney Peak, the highest point in the Black Hills, visited, upon 

 tbe summit and upper slopes of which sub-alpine forms of MelanoiAns 

 and Pezotettix were taken. One of these, possibly two of them, may be 

 new. A good series of all were obtained, notwithstanding the difficulty 

 with which tbe mountain was climbed, tbe distance traveled, and the 

 rain that fell during tbe day. The altitude of Harney Peak is just 

 about 8,000 feet above sea-level. Collections were also made at about 

 5,000 feet elevation. At this latter elevation a species of Arcyptera 

 was obtained that is new to me, possibly new to science. 



Having visited tbe most interesting portions of the Black Hills region 

 for the collection of Acridians, and not hearing of any locust depreda- 

 tions to the northward, it was decided not to visit Rapid City, but to 

 return to Buffalo Gap via the Hot Springs. Just before starting I 

 learned of tbe presence of the Army Worm {Leucania unipuncta), 

 about three miles from Custer. ' Tbe description was so perfect that tbe 

 identity of the iusect was sure. My informant claimed that but a single 

 field of oats had been injured. 



At Fort Robinson, Nebr., a second armj^-worm depredation was 

 brought to my notice, this time receiving my personal attention. Here, 

 as at Custer, but a single field cf oats was injured, and if attended to, 

 the pup;«, which had just formed, can mostly be destroyed, and iirevent 

 the possible greater injury next year. 



Here collections were made in the family Acrididce, but no new species 

 added. Some of tbe western or Rocky Mountain species were found, 

 thereby extending their hitherto known range considerably farther 

 eastward. 



At this point I was enabled to meet quite a number of Army officers 

 and troops who had recently been over different portions of Wyoming, 

 Colorado, and Utah, and from them learned tba* the Rocky Mountain 

 locust is nowhere present in these parts in more than ordinary numbers. 

 To be entirely satisfied as to the possible mistake of these different per- 

 sons with whom I spoke on the subject, I went as far west as Douglas, 

 Wyo., only to find spretus entirely absent there. Inquiries here also 

 went to show that this pest is nowhere to be found within the region 

 mentioned, nor had any damage been reported since several years 

 ago. Here, also, some scattering injuries by the army-worm were 



