Ko- 5- ] MefJio'hs adopted in Tmiis for dcHtroijinfj Locnsfs. 125 



60 yards an hour durino- tbe first three or four days^ but^ as they increase 

 in size, their movements become more rapid. 



The orawlino^ stage of tbe locust lasts from forty-five to fifty days. 

 Durino- the last five days its movements are slnongish. On the eve of trans- 

 formation, it assumes a reddish hue, and attaches itself to a leaf or twig* 

 where the process takes place by shedding- a scale which envelopes the 

 whole of its body to such an extent that when the winged insect drops to 

 the ground, the shell that is left behind has all the apj)earance of a live 

 locust. It will then reclimb a bush, and remain suspended in the sun for 

 several hours before commencing- its new career as a winged locust. 



The destruction of young locusts in the " controles " of the interior 

 Algerian system of destriic- of the Regency, such as Tozeur, Gafsa, taid 

 tion. Kairwan, was effected on the methods adopt- 



ed in Algeria before the introduction of Cyprian screens, consisting in 

 the employment of large numbers of men during the first days for the 

 purpose of crushing and burning the locusts when they are stationary as 

 already described. When in movement, the swarms are gradually en- 

 circled and driven into a heap or into trenches and destroyed by fire. 



These methods appear to have been successful in the oasis of Tozeur, 

 where the young locusts were destroyed in the space of twenty-one days 

 without recourse being had to screens, which, it is now generally admit- 

 ted by experienced persons, are indispensable only when the young locusts 

 have succeeded in forming themselves into large columns, 



Rules to be observed on ap- The first rules to be observed on the appear- 

 pearauce of fixing locusts. ^ncc of flying locusts are — 



1. To eaiefully observe the flights, and mark the ground selected for hatching 



purposes. 



2. To employ watchmen to give notice when the hatching days commence. 



3. To organise in the meantime gangs of labourers. 



4. To destroy the eggs either by gathering them or by ploughing up the hatching 



grounds. 



5. To collect the necessary fuel around the contaminated spots. 



6. After hatching. — To take advantage of the first five days to destroy the young 



locusts before they form into columns. 



The work of destruction was most successful in the cultivated and 

 Operations facilitated in culti- populous districts, where the operations of 

 vated districts. beating the locusts and destroying their 



eggs and young were facilitated by reason of the open country 

 and numerous hands ; but in the mountainous and rocky or woody 

 districts which are, as a rule, thinly populated, the difficulties to be en- 



