PR15FACE. 
XVII 
ernment may pursue in the future toward ameliorating- the locust evil. 
With the assistance of a large map (Map I) in six sections, so arranged 
that they may be put together on canvass or cloth and hung up in 
school-rooms or other public buildings, the surface characteristics of 
plains, mountains, plateaus, and basins are considered, especially from 
the point of view of the relative areas in which the vegetation is sus- 
ceptible of being burned over. No one particular course is recommended 
or deemed sufficient, but it is shown that good results will flow from in- 
creased settlement of the Territories, the building of railroads, increased 
irrigation, the preservation of the timber, judicious burning, the perfec- 
tion of a system of observations and warnings, and co-operation with 
the Domiuion Government in these various measures. 
In Appendix I will be found some further data and replies to our 
first circular. In Appendix II Mr. S. H. Scudder gives a list of the 
Orthoptera collected by Mr. Packard in his western trip made in 1877, 
and describes some new species. The list is interesting, as showing 
the number of forms closely allied to spretus, but with shorter wings, 
occurring in Washington Territory and Oregon. The report of Mr. 
John Marten (Appendix III) of observations made the present year 
in Iowa, Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska under Mr. Thomas's direc- 
tion, gives a detailed statement of the locust conditions in those States, 
In Appendix IV a very full exposition of locust literature is given by 
Mr. B. P. Mann, supplemented by Mr. Thomas ; while in Appendices V 
and VI additional data regarding the locust in Texas and regarding 
flights are brought together. In Appendix VII Mr. Packard gives 
some notes of his journey in 1878, and in Appendix VIII an account of 
Yersin's researches on the functions of the nervous system of articulates, 
as supplementary to Chapter XI on the brain of the locust. 
The delay in printing the report which was not ordered printed by 
Congress till April, 1880, is to be regretted, but has permitted the in- 
cluding of some facts ascertained since it was submitted. 
The commissioners take pleasure in here thanking the numerous cor- 
respondents who have replied to the circulars issued, and the managers 
of the following railroads for favors over their respective lines : 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern ; Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific ; 
Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul; Western Union ; Northern Pacific ; 
Saint Paul and Sioux City ; First Division Saint Paul and Pacific ; Saint 
Paul and Pacific ; Sioux City and Pacific ; Chicago and Northwestern ; 
Des Moines and Fort Dodge; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy; Central 
Railroad of Iowa ; Kansas Pacific ; Saint Joseph and Denver ; Missouri, 
Kansas and Texas; Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe; Burlington and 
Missouri River, in Nebraska ; Denver and Rio Grande ; Texas and 
Pacific ; International and Great Northern ; Illinois Central ; Denver 
Pacific ; Union Pacific ; Atchison and Nebraska. 
L II 
