396 REPORT UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



A machine somewhat like the above was invented by Mr. Finley E. 

 Benson, of Walnut, Iowa (patent ]^o. 184,223, dated E"ovember 14, 

 1876). Fig. 100 represents a plain view of the machine, and Fig. 101 a 

 vertical section of the same. The following is a more detailed descrip- 

 tion: 



Fig. ini.— Benson Catcher: 

 Pig. 100.— The Benson Locust-catcher : Plan view. Vertical section. 



a represents a long, narrow box or cage, which may either run upon the runners c or 

 small wheels, as preferred. A portion of the front of this box is removed, as shown, 

 and the inclined side covered with a sheet of tin, or other suitable substance, d, upon 

 which the insects light, and then slide down, through the slit e, into the box. In order 

 to prevent them from hopping out again, a guard, g, is made to extend horizontally 

 over this opening in the front of the box, toward the inclined surface d, leaving just 

 enough space between them to let the insect in, but not out again. In the rear side 6f 

 the box a is made a light or long opening, 1i, which is covered over with wire-gauze, 

 so as to light Ihe interior of the 

 box, and thus cause the insects 

 to fly toward it, away from the 

 slit. The top of the box is pro- 

 vided with a hinged cover, i, 

 through which is made a simi- 

 lar light, 0, for the same- pur- 

 pose, and so tiiat hot water or 

 steam can be forced into the 

 box to kill all the insects 

 caught. 



The box is drawn or forced 

 forward over the ground, and, 

 as the insects light on the in- 

 cline d, the motion of the ma- 

 chine shakes them down into 

 the box through the slit e, 

 where they are killed, and then 

 emptied out through the cover 



The machine invented 

 by Mr. Dexter n. Hutch- 

 ins, of Algona, Iowa (pat- 

 ent :N"o. 187,012, dated 

 February 6, 1877), differs 

 from all the others in hav- 

 ing attached a contrivance 

 for killing the insects by 

 means of sulphur fumes. 



Fig. 102 is a top view, and Fig. 103 shows a sectional view. 

 ■ The following description and letters refer to the accompanying 

 drawings: 



The frame A has a wooden bottom, B, and is mounted upon wheels C C. A drawer, 

 D, is made in the front of the frauie A, and opens to the front between the flies E E, 

 attached to the frame F so as to project at an angle of about forty-five degrees out- 



FiG. 102.— The IIutchins Locust-catcher. 



