16 IMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 
they deposited their eggs. These were no sooner 
hatched in June, than each of the broods collected it- 
self into a compact body, of a furlong or more in square; 
and marching afterwards directly forwards toward the 
sea, they let nothing escape them they kept their 
ranks, like men of war; climbing over, as they ad- 
vanced, every tree or wail that was in their way; nay, 
they entered into our very houses and bed-chambers, 
A day or two after one of these 
like so many thieves. 
hordes was in motion, others were already hatched to 
march and glean after them. Having lived near a 
month in this manner they arrived at their full 
growth, and threw off their nympha-state by casting their 
outward skin. ‘To prepare themselves for this change, 
they clung by their hinder feet to some bush, twig, or 
corner of a stone; and immediately, by using an undu- 
lating motion, their heads would first break out, and 
then the rest of their bodies. The whole transformation 
was performed in seven or eight minutes; after which 
they lay for a small time ina torpid and seemingly in a 
languishing condition; but as soon as the sun and the 
air had hardened their wings, by drying up the moisture 
that remained upon them after casting their sloughs, they 
reassumed their former voracity, with an addition of 
strength and agility. Yet they continued not long in 
this state before they were entirely dispersed.” The 
species Dr. Shaw here speaks of is probably not the 
Gryllus migratorius, L. 
The old Arabian fable, that they are directed in their 
flights by a leader or king?, has been adopted: but I 
* Bochart, Hierozoic. ii. 1. 4. c. 2, 460, 
