LOCUSTS. 



271 



ferent parts of Mexico and Central America ; 



but we may grow weary even when examining 



caskets of the most brilliant gems ; and we 



^]j~ shall have many others to describe when we 



reach the southern part of the continent. 



LOCUSTS. 



Insect life is as active in Central America as 

 in other parts of the tropics. The most dreaded 

 insect is the locust, which makes periodical 

 attacks on the plantations, and in a single 

 hour the largest fields of maize are stripped 

 of their leaves, the stems alone being left to 

 show that they once existed. This creature 

 is called by the natives the '' chapulin," or langostaT. They 

 make their first appeai'ance as little wingless tilings, swarm- 

 ing over the ground like ants, when they are called " saii- 



49P 



