33 



In certain years their numbers increase to such 

 an astonishing degree, that the vegetable growth 

 of a district is not sufficient to afford food to 

 their myriads; and from the scarcity they have 

 created, are under the necessity of migrating : 

 these occasional visits are frequently of the worst 

 consequence to the inhabitants, by destroying 

 the growing crops and every vegetable produc- 

 tion, producing not only famine, but frequently 

 pestilence from the effluvia which arise from the 

 bodies of the insects that have been destroyed. 

 The insects of this order should, upon being cap- 

 tured, be put at once into spirits, that they may 

 be immediately killed, and effectually prevented 

 from eating one another, which they would other- 

 wise do if put loosely into a box ; if they are 

 pierced, they must be completely transfixed by 

 pins being placed across their bodies, to prevent 

 their injuring themselves or other insects. It is 

 necessary with most of the species of this order 

 to make an incision along the under part of the 

 body, and carefully remove the contents ; cotton 

 must be substituted, to give the insect its natural 

 shape and plumpness ; if this be not attended 

 to, the bodies are liable to shrink and lose their 

 colours : the process is very simple, and a little 

 practi&e will be sufficient to ennblf tin* cullrrfor 



