430 EXPLORATION IN UPPER CALIFORNIA IN 1860. 
In changing the skin the insect fastens itself on a tree or other object, head 
downward, and after much exertion crawls out, head foremost, leaving, to all 
appearance, its very counterpart behind; they now present themselves in a suit 
of light green, in exchange for the dark brown. ‘The only effectual remedy 
against the ravage of this insect is the “cricket-fence,” and this structure, 
simple as it is, has proved the only barrier. 
The crickets were seen in numbers in the vicinity of Yreka, and as far on my 
route as Bogus mountain. Thus it will appear that they are not a universal’ 
plague in this section of country, but visit certain localities only. From what 
I could learn from the Indians, the cricket makes its appearance every three 
years, and I was also informed by the Indians that Shasta valley is known as 
“Cricket valley ;” hence it would seem that Shasta valley is their range. 
[The intrepid explorer whose notes we have here published, and to whom the 
Smithsonian Institution is indebted for a large number of valuable specimens of 
natural history, fell a victim to the treachery of the Indians. The details of 
his fate are given in the following report of General Sully, on whose staff he 
served as engineer : 
“On the 28th June, 1864, we reached the Little Shyenne. Captain Feilner, 
1st United States cavalry, with two detailed men, proceeded ahead of the 
column to the creek of the Little Shyenne, and reached it at the same time a 
party of my friendly Indians and half-breeds did, but about half a mile below 
where they were, and hidden from their view. The column had not yet arrived, 
and as it had been raining hard the night before there was no dust visible. A 
small war party of Minnesota Sioux were camping in a thick cluster of brush 
and trees where the captain dismounted, and while he was in the act of getting 
some water, three Indians fired about six yards from him. Two of the shots 
took effect, and the captain died in great agony about two hours afterwards. I 
am thus deprived of my engineer officer, and the country of the services of one 
of its most valuable and efficient officers. He had for many years served in 
the Ist United States cavalry—formerly 1st dragoons—as a non-commissioned 
officer, had been in a great many battles, and it is sad that he should lose his 
life in this way. It was all owing to his enthusiastic desire to collect as many 
specimens as possible for the Smithsonian Institution. I had cautioned him 
several times about the risk he ran in going so far from the command, and on 
the night previous to the day of his death I sent for him to my tent to talk to 
him on the subject, and I offered him a party of my scouts to protect him, as L 
was desirous that he should do all he could to forward the scientific researches 
that he was sent here to attend to; he promised me to accept them, but did not 
do go.” J. H.] 
