Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-03
THE LoCUsTs.


From the An1erlcdn DGlty A0peTttSeT
REsPEorED FRIEND PouLsoN.--It is now about
seventeen years since presented to you some
remarks concerning the Locusts, that came un-
der nv notice in the years 1888 and 1900, which
YOU published in your paper at that time, and
perhaps it would be agreeable to you to receive
a further account of those children of the earth,
that took placei in that year, say 1917, and as a
general resurrection is to take place again this
spring. should wish to draw the attention of
the learned ana Intelligent towards those curl
Gus and wonderful insects. a2d If you should
conclude the following memoranda worthy OF
heing published, they are atyour service
Yours, sincerely, u LIE b.
Philadelphia County, March %, 1884.
1s17-About the middle of May, the locusts
began to appear at the surface OF the earth, but
believe they were fearful ofleaving their earth
Nv abode, as the weather was cool. On the 22d,
some few began to make their appearance, and
extricated themselves from out of their skin or
shell that surrounded them, but they seemed
considerably benumbed with the cold.
The beginning of June, they rose in consid-
cradle bodies and we We're soon saluted with
their music.
AS soon as they rise or come out of the earth,
which is about the time of sunset, they are
homely insect. surrounded with yellow skin or
shell They then, with the utmost haste, make
for tree or some solid body, seize strong
hold with their legs, and by considerable eXer-
ton burst the skin that incloses them, and from
which they extricate themselves and come iorth
handsome insect with wings, leaving their
shell sticking, and in short time they are able
to fly and sing
Ihave taken notice that if they are diatory in
delivering themselves of their shell, they per-
ish, as it soon becomes so dry that they are not
able to get out or II.
Their singing, as it is commonly called, takes
1srt hpir yUin uh there =
opening into their body, and from whence the
sound issues and proceeds from the male only.
The female has d sharp hollow spear,
which is situated in the under and back part OF
her body, with which she makes an incislon
through the bark and wood of the branches OF
trees, and it is curious what pains she takes to
throw open wide and deep iurrow and IN
which she deposites her eggs, one by the side
of the other, and she will continue the cutting
from g. 4 to 10 inches in length, according to the
thickness of the branch.
How long the eggs remain in that state, was
past my finding out, for ] took some OF the
branches and put them in bottle on purpose
to see what kind of an animalcule would come
from the eggs, but could not succeed in making
any discovery.
But it is remarkable to reflect, that in due time
those eggs, in what state or form, unknown TO
me, should fall to the ground and for certain
number of years penetrate into the earth-for
they have been 1OunQ SIX or more Ieel III uepli
and then, after entering certain depth-for
them gradually to rise, and that an exact period
ofseventeen years should take place before they
come to perfection, and general resurrection
ensue is wonderful indeed, and in my opinion,
worthy the inquiry of the philosopher, for have
no doubt they were formed by the Almighty for
wise and useful purpose.
What ismost extraordinary to my view-tor
never could perceive that they partook of any
nourishment whatever, nor do they any injury
that | could discover, excepting where they
make the incision to deposite their eggs-this
wound leaves the branches of the fruit trees so
tender, that they frequently break off with the
waiting of the air.
During their existence out Of the earth, they
lead merry life, but it is very short one, for
they exist only about two months.
And, my Friend Poulson, will again inform
you, and do it with much pleasure as antici"
pate the same effect that the former resurrection
of the locusts produced, for they were succeed,
ed with what ] call plentiful crops,-the produce
of grain, fodder, and almost every vegetable pro-
duction was abundant and uncommonly good.
Yours. &c. q. DE b.
MIR. ZAcHARIAH PouLsoN, Philadelphia.