6 
various theories advanced, to eliminate the conclusions heretofore 
arrived at that are clearly erroneous, to point out the direction in 
which investigation is needed, and from the facts that are satisfac¬ 
torily determined, to suggest such remedial or preventive measures 
as appear to offer the greatest hope of success. 
A very excellent article on the species was given by Mr. B. D. 
Walsh in his first report as acting State Entomologist, the only one 
that appears in the entire series of State Entomological Reports. 
Unfortunately, copies of this report are very scarce, and much of 
the article is of a controversial nature not adapted to practical 
purposes, and devoted to the advocacy of views in reference to the 
species which subsequent investigations have shown to he erroneous. 
A mere mention of the species is made in my second report, in 
the brief synopsis of our Lepidoptera prepared by Prof. French, but 
nothing further. 
This insect has heretofore been looked upon, in Economic Ento¬ 
mology, much as the comet in Astronomy, an unheralded visitor, 
whose coming could not be predicted, and whose disappearance was 
equally as mysterious. Although its history is not yet thor¬ 
oughly known and its relation to climatic conditions not thoroughly 
understood, yet item after item is being added, so that we may hope 
that ere long its entire history will be so thoroughly understood 
that the entomologist may be able to give timely warning of its 
coming. To this point we will again call attention hereafter, when 
we come to speak of remedial measures. 
Although always present with us in some form, as eggs, worms, 
chrysalides or moths, yet, in ordinary years, in such small numbers 
that the injury they do is so slight that it does not attract atten¬ 
tion, and hence they are unnoticed except by entomologists who 
know when and where to look for them. Another fact, which will 
hereafter be more especially noted, that is calculated to deceive un¬ 
scientific observers, and even entomologists not acquainted with their 
habits is, that normally they are “Cut-worms,” and not “Army- 
worms,” appearing in the latter role only in years when favorable 
conditions have developed them in great numbers. Hence, in speak¬ 
ing of the “appearance” of the species, we allude to its appearance 
in unusual numbers and in its character as a true “Army-worm.” 
ITS PAST HISTORY. 
The following notices of the earlier dates of its appearance are 
taken from Dr. Fitch’s article: 
“In 1748 there were ‘millions of devouring worms, in armies, 
threatening to cut off every green thing.’—Flint’s 2d Report Agric. 
of Mass., p. 86. 
“In 1770 a black worm, about an inch and a half long, devoured 
the grass and corn. They all moved in one direction, and when 
they were intercepted by furrows in ploughed land, they fell into 
them in such numbers as to form heaps. They sought shelter in 
the grass, a hot sun being fatal to them; they disappeared suddenly 
about the close of June and beginning of July.'—Webster on Pesti¬ 
lence, vol. 1, p. 259. 
