43 
heat at the ground ; they increased in size very fast. In whatever 
mdition they found the wheat the growth of it stopped. The stalks 
nd heads shrunk and turned white. They did not disturb oats, 
lover or timothy. So soon as the sap was extracted from the wheat, 
:ie y went upon the standing corn in numbers without limit. They 
'ere upon the stalks from the ground to the tassel, and there con- 
nued till every particle of sap was extracted. They then went upon 
le prairie grass, upon the weeds, or upon any plant that had any sub- 
;ance in it, till all was dried up. They injured early sown wheat to 
)me extent. When winter set in they went into winter quarters— 
nder corn shocks , clods, rails, etc. On looking for them through the 
'inter they were always on hand cheap. As soon as moderate weath- 
r set in this spring, they were found alive and well. They are now 
1 the green wheat but have not yet commenced eating.” 
Here we have recorded, for the first time, an account of their meth- 
d of hibernating or passing the winter, and their usual hiding places 
uring this season. To Mr. David Newsome, therefore, must be given 
le credit of this discovery; as his observations have been overlook- 
d by subsequent writers on this subject, I take pleasure in resurrect- 
ng the fact and bringing it before the public. 
They were also observed in 1846 in Cass county. In 1847 they ap~ 
eared in Lyons county, Iowa. In 1848 did considerable injury in 
,ake county, Indiana; but I cannot find that they appeared in in- 
lrious numbers at any place in Illinois either in 1847 or 1848. 
Although no record of complaint is found in 1849, yet their appear- 
nce in such large numbers in 1850, which was excessively dry, would 
idicate that they must have commenced multiplying in 1849, and 
bis supposition is confirmed by an editorial in the Prairie Farmer, 
mgust 1851, which states that the counties of Will, De Kalb, Ken- 
all, Kane, Du Page, McHenry and perhaps others, have been afflicted 
y these insects for two or three years; 1851 not being included, as 
bey did not make their appearance that year, “the amount of water 
aving been favorable to their destruction.” 
The following account by Dr. LeBaron, of Kane County, published 
a the September number, 1850, of the Prairie Farmer, is the first sci- 
ntific account of its habits and of its preparatory states, placed on 
ecord; as the work in which it is found is very rare, and Dr. LeBar- 
n’s modesty prevented him from quoting it in his article on this in- 
ect in his second report, I repeat it here (except the descriptive part 
lready quoted). 
“Messrs. Editors :—My attention having been recently called to 
be destructive insect commonly known as the Chinch-bug, I send 
ou a few observations thereupon, which, in addition to what has 
lready been published, will go to make up the history of this de- 
tructive species. 
These insects have prevailed the present season throughout this and 
he adjoining counties in ruinous profusion. The season has been 
xcessively dry, which has probably been favorable to their multipli- 
ation. I find by reference to the back numbers of the Prairie Far - 
ler that they have been equally destructive in other sections of the 
ountry in former years. 
