21 



We must devote a lew words to popular credulity, which has 

 circulated so many marvellous and idle tales of the venomous cha- 

 racter of this poor, defenceless insect. The very organism of the 

 locust refutes them all. It has no jaws, teeth, sting, or any other 

 instrument by which it can injure or annoy the most diminutive 

 insect no weapon, offensive or defensive. It cannot defend itself 

 against an ant or a fly. We have handled them, male and female, 

 time after time. We have irritated and mutilated them, but never 

 could provoke them to resentment. 



As it is not probable that we shall witness the next ascension in 

 1851, we leave to our successors the task of filling up the void we 

 have left, and correcting our errors. We expect from th^m what 

 time and circumstance would not permit us to accomplish. We 

 do not know exactly the increment of the body from the time the 

 young descends into the earth till we discover the pupa at the sur- 

 face of the soil; though, from the facts stated, we think it may be 

 calculated without much inaccuracy. We have not had the means 

 of defining distinctly the period at which they begin to construct 

 their chambers, though it may be nearly approached by reasoning 

 from the facts we have mentioned. It is certain that no animal 

 builds a house for itself till it arrives at adult age. And, in fine, 

 although nothing was made in vain, we know not what link the 

 locust forms in the chain of animated nature. 



Baltimore, November 19, 1834. 



