16 IMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



tired into the Mettijiah, and other adjacent plains, where 

 they deposited their eggs. These were no sooner 

 hatched in June, than each of the broods collected itself 

 into a compact body, of a furlong or more in square ; 

 and marching afterwards directly forwards toward the 



sea, they let nothing escape them they kept their 



ranks, like men of war ,- climbing over, as they ad- 

 vanced, every tree or wall that was in their way ; nay, 

 they entered into our *ery houses and bed-chambers, 



like so many thieves. A day or two after one of these 



hordes was in motion, others were already hatched to 



march and glean after them. Having lived near a 



month in this manner they arrived at their full 



growth, and threw off their nympha-state by casting their 

 outward skin. To prepare themselves for this change, 

 they clung by their hinder feet to some bush, twig, or 

 corner of a stone ; and immediately, by using an undu- 

 lating motion, their heads would first break out, and 

 then the rest of their bodies. The whole transformation 

 was performed in seven or eight minutes ; after which 

 they lay for a small time in a torpid and seemingly in a 

 languishing condition ; but as soon as the sun and the 

 air had hardened their wings, by drying up the moisture 

 that remained upon them after casting their sloughs, they 

 reassumed their former voracity, with an addition of 

 strength and agility. Yet they continued not long in 

 this state before they were entirely dispersed." The 

 species Dr. Shaw here speaks of is probably not the 

 Locusta migratoria. 



The old Arabian fable, that they are directed in their 

 flights by a leader or king a , has been adopted : but I 



^ 



3 Bochart, Hieroxoic. ii. 1. 4. c. 2. 460. 

 X 



