152 INDIAN COEN. 



breed on the ground (and when it is dry many of 

 them are in the dust) in colonies, sometimes cov- 

 ering one or two square feet to the depth of half an 

 inch or an inch with bugs in all stages of develop- 

 ment, from the tiny red insect to the black bug and 

 up to the perfect winged insect. They commence 

 killing the wheat nearest their colony first, but they 

 soon widen to feet, rods, and acres. The small white 

 spots of dead wheat in the green field show their 

 whereabouts. 



" They take their meals in clear hot days before it 

 gets hot in the morning and late in the afternoon. 

 They are mostly at home in the colony in the hottest 

 part of the day, or gathered under sheaves of wheat 

 from the heat. Do not cut wheat before it is ripe, on 

 account of the bugs, for they only prevent it from 

 maturing, and cutting it will do the same. They are 

 most voracious in their growing state. I do not think 

 they breed in oats or corn. So far as I have ob- 

 served, they always attack oats after the wheat is ripe 

 or killed by them, from the side next to the wheat. 

 When they go from one field to another they do not 

 commence in spots, but sweep all as they go. I have 

 never seen them travel forty rods, from one field to 

 another, and do any damage." 



The chinch bug bears some resemblance in size, as 

 well as odor, to another little voracious miscreant that 

 sometimes invades the sleeping chamber. As the 

 former insect is provided with wings, it is fortunate 

 for the human family that it is not at the same time, 

 like the latter, sanguiniverous. 



