LOCUST RAVAGES IN CALIFORNIA. 
257 
them well; those later, because so often found dead at their work with abdomen still 
prolonged down into the ground, it is hoped were prevented from producing j>erfect 
eggs, or from protecting them by gummy secretions from injuries by winter vicissi- 
tudes. 
"As a clearing up of the business, I have just sent Professor Riley a box of all the 
species of locusts found hero lately, including many individuals of our descriptive 
(Edipoda atrox, and of another suspicious species, which I fear is Caloptenus atlanis, 
one of the three true migratory species so much to be dreaded. This and the Atrocious 
locust are heavily parasitised, and, perhaps, may be living their last day." — [Ibid, Sep 
tember 13, 1879. 
GRASSHOPPERS AND THE DAIRY FARMERS. 
The mountains and valleys surrounding Truckee afford, during the summer season, 
excellent pasturage for a large number of dairy cattle ; for dairymen make yearly 
pilgrimages from the valleys to the eastern slope of the Sierra to enjoy the delightful 
climate, and to allow their cattle to feed upon the luxuriant vegetation to be found 
there. Large quantities of butter and cheese are manufactured every season. This 
year, however, the dreaded grasshopper has visited these ranges and eaten everything 
in sight, and the dairymen have been compelled to seek pastures green and new. 
Joe Joerger, whose range is in Martin Valley, has been forced to move with his dairy 
of 120 cows. W. H. Williams, from Russell Valley, Mr. Barton, from the Little 
Truckee, Johnny Fleckenstien, from Sardine Valley, and the Perazo Brothers, from 
Sage Hen, have all been obliged to leave their ranges and go elsewhere with their 
dairies. These dairies in years past have been considered among the best in the State, 
but this year the grasshoppers have devoured almost everything in the shape of 
vegetation, leaving them barren, desolate wastes. — [Truckee Republican, August 6, 1879. 
GRASSHOPPER RAID IN SHASTA. 
Down at Shasta River, and on the flats toward Willow Creek, the country is over- 
run with grasshoppers, which devour everything in the vegetation line, and even 
climb trees to eat the leaves. They first appeared at Fiock's ranch after his grain 
was cut, and he cut his alfalfa immediately to save what he could of it for hay. At the 
Portuguese vegetable ranch below, formerly owned by W. J. Paul, the grasshoppers 
are devouring everything, and decimating his splendid crop of corn, tomatoes, cab- 
bage, and vegetables of all kinds. Other ranches and gardens along the river are 
suffering from this pest. At Little Shasta several farms have been visited with the 
nuisance, but the grain, being too far advanced, has escaped injury. The second 
crops of alfalfa and all kinds of vegetables and late products, however, are being 
pretty well cleaned out. Grasshoppers are worse than crickets or locusts, as they 
travel around livelier and eat faster. — [ TreJca Journal, August IS, 1879. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO SPECIES. 
By Prof. Cyrus Thomas. 
From specimens sent to the commission by Mr. Lemmon, and others by 
J. K. Lum, of Lewis County, W. Profesor Thomas has described the 
following species. The other species will be noticed in our next report : 
(Edipoda oblitcrata. Nov. sp. 
Male and female. Length to tip of elytra, 1.50; to tip of abdomen, 1.10 to 1.30. 
Pale reddish-brown or dull yellowish, tinged with rufous, with irregular transverse 
bands of dark, fuscous spots. 
Occiput not prominent. Vertex broad, moderately detlexed ; margins with sharp 
carina?, forming a distinct, sub-quadrate, median foveola, which is divided into bwo 
17 E 
