102 
LECTURE IX. 
by the Locust tribe. The genus Grylliis, compre- 
hending all the kinds of Locusts and Grasshoppers, 
is wonderfully numerous, and is distinguished by 
a large head, with strong j^wsj slender horns, a 
lengthened body ; and the hind-legs formed for 
leaping. Among the species most remarkable for 
their ravages is the Gryllus migratorius or migra- 
tory Locust, which of all the insects capable of 
injuring mankind, seems to possess the most 
dreadful powers of destruction. Legions of these 
animals are from time to time observed in various 
parts of the world, but more particularly in the 
Eastern regions, where the havoc they sometimes 
commit is almost incredible. The sun is often 
darkened by their numbers while the swarm is in 
the act of migration; so that at mid-day people 
can hardly distinguish each other. They settle 
on the Vichest parts of the country, and in a few 
Jioiirs devour all the corn and other vegetables, 
and change the most fertile province into the ap- 
pearance of a barren desert. In the year 1748, 
some straggling flights, which had committed con- 
siderable havoc in some parts of Germany and 
rrance, wctc observed to make their appearance 
in England, and were even seen about and in the 
