LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 117 



Archibald Robins, one of Captain Riley*? 

 crew, who was also made prisoner by the 

 Arabs, gives an interesting account of the man- 

 ner of catching and cooking the locusts, in the 

 Great Desert of Zahara, where he lived with 

 his Arab master. I have had the Journal 

 brought, thinking it would be interesting to you 

 to hear it in his own words. If Renee will 

 turn to page 170, we shall be glad to hear her 

 read it to us. 



Renet. Here it is. He says: " In and about 

 this valley, were great flights of locusts. During 

 the day they are flying around very thickly in 

 the atmosphere, but the copious dews and chilly 

 air, in the night, render them unable to fly, and 

 they settle down on the bushes. It was the 

 constant employment of the natives in the night 

 to gather these insects from the bushes, which 

 they did in great quantities. My master's fami- 

 ly, each with a small bag, went out the first 

 night upon this employment, carrying a very 

 large bag to bring home the fruits of their labor. 

 My mistress Fatima, however, and the two 

 little children, remained in the tent. I declined 

 this employment, and retired to rest under the 



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