LOCUSTS. 



271 



ferent parts of Mexico and Central America ; 

 we may grow weary even when examining 

 ets of the most brilliant gems ; and we 

 have many others to describe when we 

 1 the southern part of the continent. 



LOCUSTS. 

 [nsect life is as active in Central America as 

 >ther parts of the tropics. The most dreaded 

 lsect is the locust, which makes periodical 

 attacks on the plantations, and in a single 

 hour the largest fields of maize are stripped 

 of their leaves, the stems alone being left to 

 show that they once existed. This creature 

 is called by the natives the " chapulin," or langosta. They 

 make their first appearance as little wingless things, swarm- 

 ing over the ground like ants, when they are called " san- 



