[120] REPORT UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



Lincoln, May 3, 1877. — This afternoon, on the disputed 80, just east of Lincoln, 

 found thousands of dead locusts. Had to examine the ground closely with a large 

 magnifying-glass in order to distinguish them. The newspapers claim that many were 

 destroyed by the storm on the — th of April. Few of the people, however, believe 

 that many were then killed. Probabilities are that millions died, but owing to the 

 fact that they almost immediately merge with the soil after death, especially when 

 young, they cannot be seen, and are unnoticed. 



Lincoln, May 4, 1877. — Went this afternoon to Mr. Adams's place, one mile southeast 

 of Lincoln., Temperature at 9 a. m., 50° F. ; a at 12 m., 65° F.; at 2 p. m., 66° F. 



One lot of Mr. Adams's was plowed early in March. Millions of locusts were plowed 

 under. By digging, found thousands of these hatched out and dead, beiug unable to 

 work through the ground. Depth from one and a half to four inches, at which hatched 

 ones were found, though the number hatched out at that depth was very few ; the 

 great body of eggs at four inches unhatched or in process of decay. The great body 

 cease to hatch out below two and a half inches. 



On Adams's ground, where the ground was not plowed under, millions of locusts 

 covered the ground. They clustered in patches. This place is slightly elevated above 

 the general level. If all this ground had been plowed under early'in the spring or 

 late in autumn, the greater part of the locusts would have been destroyed. 



At Guthridge's, northeast from Adams's — also a market-gardener — the ground was all 

 plowed deeply early in the spring, and few locusts are there. It lies a little lower, 

 and probably not so many eggs were laid there. 



Just across the road, and south of Adams's house a few rods, the young locusts were 

 beginning to eat the wheat. There were great numbers in patches. 



Appearances seem to indicate that a large number of the locusts here have hatched 

 out. By long and close looking found a considerable number of minute dead locusts, 

 killed probably by the recent w^et and cold. 



Lincoln, Saturday, May 5, 1877. — Temperature at 9 a. m., 50° F.; at 12 m., 51° F. ; at 

 2 p. m. 50° F. 



Drizzling rain and chilly. Locusts stupid and dying. Found them in heaps east of 

 the University on the disputed 80. East of the Antelope they seemed in a healthier 

 condition. Eained hard most of the afternoofii and evening. 



Lincoln, Sunday, May 6, 1877. — Temperature at 9 a. m., 45° F. ; 12 m., 52° F. ; 2 p. 

 m., 50° F. In wind, temperature lower — blowing from the north. 



On Salt Creek bottom found thousands of dead locusts; seemed to have been drowned 

 or killed by the cold and severe rain. Found many that were numb and some dead 

 ones even on the high lands. 



Lincoln, Monday, May 7, 1877.— Temperature at 9 a. m., 45° F. ; at 12 m., 55° F. ; at 2 

 p. m., 60° F. Found many dead locusts again to-day. Three miles east of the univer- 

 sity, in a hollow, found dead locusts two inches deep. Must have been washed to- 

 gether. Evidently less locusts than two weeks ago. I hear the same from other sec- 

 tions, especially Sarpy, Saunders, and Cass Counties. 



Lincoln, May 9, 1877.— Temperature at 9 a. m., 46° F. ; at 12 m., 57° F. ; 2 p. m., 65° 

 F. Eained much of the day and could not get out to examine the locusts. On the 

 disputed 80 east of Lincoln, found many dead locusts, by looking closely with a glass. 

 Most of the locusts about one size, one-fourth to one-third grown. Youngest must 

 have perished in the could and rains. Reports favorable as to the little damage done. 



On Poor Farm, up Oak Creek, the wheat was taken close to the ground. I advised 

 plowing under to bury the unhatched eggs. They did so and few have since appeared. 

 On neighboring farm of Dr. Lattas the locusts were coming out by the million when 

 furrowing out the corn ground ; advised the same thing there. This covered up the 

 ground deep enough, I hope, to destroy the eggs. 



Lincoln, Thursday, May 10, 1877. — Mean temperature to-day, 70° F. 



Rained greater part of to-day. Toward evening rode two miles east of town. Found 

 many dead locusts again. On one spot where they seemed to have been washed to- 

 gether counted 411 small dead locusts on one square foot of soil. Found many dead 

 ones at the base of weeds where they had apparently hidden. At another point south 

 of Hawley's farm saw a large flock of blackbirds and yellow-heads feeding on the 

 young locusts. 



Lincoln, Friday, May 11, 1877.— Spent sometimeto-day in examiningthe spotsabound- 

 ing in dead locusts. Found a few with defective mouth parts ; evidently could not 

 chew. But most of the dead ones had these parts perfect. Their dying must be pro- 

 duced by decay of constitutional vigor. They are evidently dying in spots with great 

 rapidity; much more in some places than in others. Some places die younger than 

 at others. 



Lincoln, May 12, 1877. — Mean temperature to-day, 70° F. Rained hard last night. 

 Roads a mass of mud. This afternoon on banks of the Antelope found millions appar- 

 ently of dead locusts ; some still hatching out but slowly. The greater part of those 

 now coming out are dying. 



Lincoln, Monday, May 14, 1877.— Temperature at 9 a. m.,70° F.; at 12 m., 72° F.; at 



