INTRODUCTION. 



No insect has ever occupied a larger share of 

 public attention in North America, or more injuri- 

 ously affected our greatest national interest, than the 

 subject of this treatise. Especially during the past 

 four years has it brought ruin and destitution to 

 thousands of our Western farmers, and it constitutes 

 to-day the greatest obstacle to the settlement of 

 much of the fertile country between the Mississippi 

 and the Rocky Mountains. Knowledge is power in 

 protecting our crops against the ravages of a tiny 

 insect, as in all other undertakings ; and according 

 as accurate knowledge regarding this locust plague 

 is disseminated among our people, will they be able 

 to vanquish the common foe. 



It is a gratifying evidence of the progressive 

 character of our Republic, that the late Congress 

 made provision for a Commission, the duty of which 

 is to make a thorough survey of this locust subject, 

 with a view of enabling our people to protect their 

 crops against the insect's attacks, and, if possible, 

 .prevent its incursions from its native breeding 

 grounds. The task is a great one, and the good 



