﻿102 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT 



going against than with the wind, and, as they approached maturity^ 

 they seemed disposed to gather into more compact masses and prefer to 

 advance in a northerly direction. The following extracts are given 

 as illustrative of the experience of my correspondents : 



There was no particular direction pursued by them ; they went to one point of 

 the compass as much as another, but when they moved, large bodies went in one direc- 

 tion. They traveled in columns from 4 to 40 rods wide, and fences and other obstacles 

 frequently caused them to vary their course. The front of a column coming to an ob- 

 stacle at fight angles, (such as a fence or building) usually went through or over. But 

 I have seen a column going southeast and another going southwest, come to an east 

 and west fence, and then take their course alono: it in opposite directions, jumping over 

 or against one another in an amusing manner. I opened the fence and set a wide plank 

 on edge in the gap, that guided them throujifh, and then from there they all took one 

 direction south, many bushels passed through in a few hours. — [Calvin A, Mark, 

 Warrensburg, Johnson county. 



They moved while yet unfledged in all directions, that is, different droves moved 

 in diflterent directions, and so persistent were they in their course, that they were seen 

 to cross at right angles without becoming confused. — [G. W. Allen, "Westport. Jack- 

 son county. 



Although they move in nearly every direction at times, yet the whole movement 

 was north. — [Dan. Carpknter, Barry, Clay county. 



There was no particular direction noticed, but they seemed to go against the wind 

 to a great extent, but not always.— [J. W. Maple, Oregon, Holt county. 



They were inclined to travel in a northwest direction, though they would go some 

 little distance in other directions to get wheat and other things which they liked to eat. 

 — [Levi Long, Island City, Gentry Co. 



In this locality they traveled when unfledged, east and southeast. Living 

 on the east of the Potawatomie creek, the young locusts which were hatched out near 

 the timber had to travel in this direction to find food. On the west side of the creek 

 they traveled west or northwest, for the same reason. On one occasion they were seen 

 crossing each others track, traveling in different directions. — [James Hanway, Lane,. 

 Franklin Co., Kansas. 



RATE AT WHICH THE YOUKG TRAVEL. 



Having often watched the young insects on their travels andcare-^ 

 fully timed them, I have concluded that when about half grown they 

 seldom move at a greater rate than three yards a minute, even when 

 at their greatest speed over a tolerably smooth and level road, and 

 not halting to feed. They walk three -fourths this distance and hop 

 the rest. Two consecutive hops are seldom taken, and any individual 

 one may be run down and fatigued by obliging it to hop ten or twelve 

 times without rest. 



THEY REACHED BUT A FEW MILES EAST OF WHERE THEY HATCHED. 



Rumors prevailed continually last Spring that tha insects were 

 spreading eastward and threatened to overrun the whole of the State, 

 Illinois, etc. In reality, as I continually urged would be the case, 

 they did not reach on an average five miles east of the limit line 

 where they hatched. The reason is plain enough. At the rate at 

 which they travel, as just described, they could not extend many 



