CH. XII.] THE LOCUST, ETC. 179 



on fire on the approach of the locusts. But all this 

 was to no purpose, for the trenches were quickly 

 filled up, and the fires put out by the great number 

 of swarms which succeeded each other* A day or 

 two after one of these was in motion, others, that 

 Were just hatched, came to glean after them, gnaw* 

 ing off the young branches and the very bark of the 

 trees. Having lived near a month in this manner 

 they arrived at their full growth, and threw off the 

 worm-like state by casting their skin. To prepare 

 themselves for this change they fixed their hinder 

 part to some bush or twig, or corner of a stone, 

 when immediately, by an undulating motion used 

 on the occasion, their heads would first appear, and 

 soon after the rest of their bodies. The whole 

 transformation was performed in seven or eight 

 minutes' time, after which they remained for a little 

 while in a languid condition ; but as soon as the 

 sun and the air had hardened their wings, and dried 

 up the moisture that remained, after casting off their 

 sloughs, they returned to their former greediness 

 with an addition both of their strength and agility. 

 But they did not long continue in this state before 

 they entirely dispersed : after laying their eggs, 

 they directed their course northward, and probably 

 perished in the sea. In that country, however, the 

 amazing fertility of the soil, and warmness of the 

 climate, generally render the depredations of these 

 insects of little consequence; besides that many 

 circumstances concur to diminish their number. 

 Though naturally herbivorous, they often fight with 

 each other, and the victor devours the vanquished. 

 They are a prey too of serpents, lizards, frogs, and 

 the carnivorous birds. They have been found in 

 the stomachs of the eagle and different kinds of 

 fowl. They are also used as food by the Moors, 

 who go to hunt them, fry them in oil or butter, and 

 sell them publicly at Tunis and other places. 

 The following interesting account of the ravages 



