Delaware journal., 1827-11-02
FRIDAY, .V'orember 2, 1927.

they first entered the earth it may be inferred that
their descent and ascent through the ground are
perpendicular. The depth TO which they go is
uncertain they have been dug up near the bottom
of deep wells, and have not unrequently appeared
in their ascent in the cellars of houses, erected
where trees had previously stood. At their last
periodical return in 1917, first observed them
coming up about the middle of the 9Th month"; On
the 25th Of the same month they made their ap-
pearance in great numbers, after 1earan ram. The
particular moment of their ascent depends much on
the state Of the weather, and in this they manifest
a surprising instructive knowledge, on which their
preservation or destruction turns for to rid them
selves successfully of their shell requires great Ell
fort ;-if it be cold, they become chilled, and are
thus deprived of the necessary powers for its ac-
compllshment if it be dry, their shells become
speeddIy hardened and resist their utmost strength
in either case the result is fatal. They seem to
foresee all this and therefore, when they arrive at
the surface if the weather be found unfayourable,
they build kind of roof over their holes, and thus
protected, they remain in them, until aodrm and
moist air prevails, when they break through, and
suddenly show themselves in great numbers.
The whole term of their aerial existence lasts
but about one month, during which time they provide
for continuance of the species, and then disappear.
first discovered the females singing the trees 10
deposit their egg, about the 9th OF the 9th MONTH
trees there are other than their being easl
ly penetrated for the eggs lie in the wound seve-
raj weeks before they hached, and if the bran
ches should survive the operation would be efiec-
tually imprisoned by the closing OF the incislon,
which | observed to take place in some very MrJty
young peach trees in my orchard Hence, these sa-
gacious insects are directed in their choice, SO as
to avoid generally, such fatal result and they are
careful to nfct such wound as kiHs the twlg and
thus the forest and other trees are seen, IN the To-
cust-years with the extremtes of their branches
withered and dead. These being broken Oft by the
wind, carry the young progeny with them to the
earth which they speedily penetrate and commence
their long subterraneous journey.
i These insects, both in their ascent and decent
travel alone every individual is thus insulated fron
all the rest of his tribe and it is not the least sur
prsing part of the history of this extraordinary an
1imal that the whole family, although thus acting
and moving each one solitarilv and without concert
should be able TO together again, alter an In
terval Of seventeen years. and arrive at the sa'nt
place, almost in the same moment OF time
No feature in all the works of nature, is more
striking than the extensive provision made by the
great .aathor for the continuance of the different
, species of both animals and vegetables. Thus the
humber of seeds in one plant oftobacco s said to ex
ceed 800 900; mliliioa found on single leaf O
fern and the roe of Goldfish is computed TO ou
number the whole of the human race! Bnt whilst
Infinite Wisdom has thus profusely provided tor the
perpeuation and increase of all the families of the
a earth, the same wisdom is equally displayed in es
. stabng such restraints and checks as eliectuailJ
prevent any one tribe from multiplying IN such ;
manner to endanger the existence OF another; thus
large proportion of the seeds vegetables urnshe
provision for the animal kingdom, whilst various
e species of ANIMALS subsst by the mutual destruction
: of each other:
n -" Air, earth and ocean to astonished day.
g One scene of blopd one mighty tomb display
. From h,ngers arm the shafts of death are hurled,
And one great slaughter house the warning world
It Myriads of insects prey upon plants, and other
again upon these depredaors. The economy o
nature presents in many cases, surprising traits
h In some instances; as one insect deposits II
eggs, another insect pierces this egg, and deposn
IN within it another egg, and the first is hached VIII
D. the last in its body The large winged grasshop
Of per- saws late writer, which hutters with s
ID much yiyacity through our meadows during the au
n tumn. feeds upon vegetable matter, and deposits 1t
eggs upon vegetables for the purpose OF beng sup
I'd ported until maured. Before the grasshopper take
wing the icneumon aighs upon its body, and thrust
e under its wing number otits eggs. These siowi
he acquire perfection and become living worms an
he feed upon the body Of the hapess grasshopper' u
S, til themselves are ready to take wing 80 admir- ra
e bly, do they perform their office, that they DO nc
njure the vial organs of the insect they are inter
e nally devouring, until they are just ready to chang
N their state, and at the proper season, hundreds
r grasshoppers, in thi, condition. have just streng
lie enough remaining to tuter to tree or fence' AM
l. with dying effort fix their hooked feet 50 hrmiy
is as to retain their Postonsong after death EXAMINE
their bodies after death, and you find an empty smell
l. or one filled with large and active worms, just read
is to burst their coverings and become winged insects.
e We have another case analogous to the above
IN furnished by the history of the common pea OF ou
gardens In every embryo pea an insect lays Ill