50 DIRECT INJURIES FROM MOTHS. 



which does not piey upon the sugar canes, but makes 

 its nest under the roots, and injures them so much, 

 that they soon become unhealtliy and unproductive. 

 About eighty-five years ago, these destructive crea- 

 tures were produced in the island of Granada in 

 such inconceivable numbers, as totally to ruin the 

 cultivation of this valuable plant. They descended 

 from the higher grounds like mighty torrents, and 

 swept every thing before them. Every road, and 

 lane, and plantation, were inundated by them. 

 Domestic quadrupeds perished in consequence of 

 this awful pest. Even wild animals, rats, mice, and 

 reptiles, became a prey to them ; and birds, which 

 alighted in search of food, fell victims to these 

 marauders. Such was the determination of their 

 advances, that streams of water offered but a mo- 

 mentary check to their progress. Those which formed 

 the van fearlessly sacrificed themselves for the com- 

 mon good — each followed liis fellow, till an embank- 

 ment or dam of the drowned insects was formed, 

 when the main body passed over in safety. Fires 

 were lighted of dry vegetable substances, and the 

 grass was ignited, but this fonncd no gi'eater an 

 obstacle tiian the water ; for, even then, it was only 

 those in front who suffered, and soon extinguished 

 the flames, liy the countless numbers of their car- 

 cases, allowing their followers to pursue their pesti- 

 lential march unhurt. The whole of the standing 

 sugar canes were at length burnt down, and the 



