I\l6 GRYLLU3* 



of many countries in the Eaft have recorded their tleva-^ 

 ftations, which at diirereiit periods have threatened the 

 extinclion of the huaian race. Happily for :hc inhabit- 

 ants of Europe, the coUnefi of their climate, and the hu= 

 midity of their foil, are v^nfavouiable to their produftion< 

 In fome of the fouthern kingdoms, their viiitations, 

 though far Icfs frequent than formerly, are (till an objccl 

 of terror : In general, however, their incurfians arc fatal 

 to thcfe animals ; they v.iill as and periPa. 



The facred Icripturtis, which were written in a country 

 where the fwarras of locufts made a diltingaiihed featura 

 in the piclare of nature, have given us many ftriktng re- 

 prefentations of the numbers and rapacity of tlicfe in-* 

 fefts : They compare, according to the manner of tiie 

 oriental languages, an armj'- of which the numbers are 

 beyond computation, to a fwanii of locufts : They de- 

 fcribe them as riling out of tlie earth, where they wur® 

 produced ; as purfuing a fettled march, for the purpofe 

 of dcllroying its fruits ; ar.d as co-operating vvith the di* 

 vine Indignation in puni filing the lins of men. 



When the locuils take the Held, they have, a:i it is 

 faid, a leader at their head, vvbofe flight they obferve, and 

 pay a firicL attention to ail iiis morions. They appear 

 at a diilance as a black cloud, which, as it approaches, 

 gathers upon the horizon, and almoft hides the light of 

 day. It often happens that the hufl7andman fees this im- 

 minent calamity pafs "away without doing him any mif- 

 chief, and the whole ivvai'm to proceed onward, to lettls 

 upon the labours of fonie iefs fortunate people : But 

 wretched is the diilrift upon which they alight. Tliey 

 ravage the meadow and the pafture ground, Urip the 

 trees of their leaves, and the gardens of every vegetable. 



The 



