1 74 On American Locusts. 



The vulgar opinion which is entertained here of these 

 insects making subterranean expeditions to and from 

 Egypt, which are regularly accomplished in fourteen 

 years, is noticed only for its extravagance. Gold- 

 smith, Buffon, Shaw, and other writers, inform us, that, 

 in Egypt and Palestine, the Locusts usually descend 

 about four feet ; but as the species which have appeared 

 among us, have sometimes been ascertained to pene- 

 trate to a much greater depth, it is probable that they 

 are regulated, in that particular, by the humidity of the 

 soil, or some other circumstances necessary to an agree- 

 able residence. 



When our locusts ascend, they seem not to be re- 

 tarded or turned aside by any obstacle. They have 

 been known to penetrate a brick-hearth, and even 

 through several bricks in a kiln. 



When they first emerge, they are of a dusky brown 

 colour ; they move slowly, and seem incapable of much 

 activity. They present an appearance of wings, but 

 entirely too small to support them in flight. After be- 

 ing somewhat invigorated by half an hour's exposure to 

 the sun, they travel to the first fence or tree, near them, 

 up which they crawl six or eight feet, attach their claws 

 firmly to the wood, or leaves ; the case, or outer skin, 

 splits along the back, and the locust marches out, leav- 

 ing his shell behind him, as firmly affixed as at first. 

 He now moves, and gradually expands his wings, and 

 in an hour is generally capable of flight. 



