Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-05-20
t.1.ncusl Year.o

The Hartford Courant contains the following
communication in relation TO Locusts:
We frequently see it tannounced in the news
papers, that this year has been "Locust Year."
followed by the story of their returning only
once in seventeen years; and as these an
nunclations appear in different parts Of the
country oitener than once in seventeen years,
it has been stated that there are different tribes
of Locusis, and that although the appearance of
Iocusts in different places, may be oftener, yet
each tribe appears but once in seventeen years.
What people in general think Of these stories
do not know ; but should think they would
be read with doubt and Indifference, at least.
well remember three "locust years." in the
years 1892, 1909, and 1896, and my father told
me that he remembered one in the year 1853,
another in l775--There being seventeen years
between each of these dates, is strong evidence
that they return once in seventeen years, and
accordingly the present year lS43, may DC cr-
pected 10 be a locust year. I wish you TO pub
lsh this at this time, that the etymologiss may
have an opportunity to make observations, and
if it should be locust year, publish the result
Of their observations. "!f a prophet prophesy,
and that which he prophcsieth cometh to pass,
then shall yc know that he is true prophet.
The Richmond Wing has an article on this
subject, portion of which we subjoin:
| THE SEVENTEEN YEAR LocusTs!-This is
the year and this the month"; for the appearance
ofthe II year Locust. In few days the woods
will be thronged, and he who hears their accu-
INFLATED hum for the first time, will be aston
ished. Unless prepared for it, he will not know
how to account for it. Formerly, they appear
ed in such countless multitudes as to fatten the
swine of the country, to whom they are as a
chosen food as they are also to foxes, raccoons,
squirrels. cows, and every forest bird. At their
two last appearances, in 1896 and 1909, their
numbers had much diminished, compared with
former periods, owing doubtless to the clearing
up md cultivation of the face Of the country.
This remarkable insect is fully described by
naturalists. 1t closely resembles our autumnal
Ay of the same name-Its wings have the ap.
pearance ola w, and hence appearing in the
midst of the Revolution, the superstitous inter-
preted those venous rcsembances ofa w to i'm
ply "War and Want" The gentleman's Ma
gnzne for ISL, contains an exact cut of the in
sect, and an accurate description of its habits.
1t borcs through the earth in the chrysals state,
and, climbing the next tree or fence, there de.
posits its shell and takes wing.
The singular part of its history, is its appear
ance only once in II years-no fact is better
established than this. Why it should be So
whether the eggs require that period ofincuba.
ton, or whatever the cause, the fact is certain
The writer of this remembers them in 1896
and in lS09-Ilis father and grandfather re-
membered them in 1892 and in l775-IIi,
grandfather in l75S-They appeared at no othe,
time in the intervals of these periods, except q
few stragglers in the succeeding year, leit by
chance or injury.
This theory has been doubted This veal
will test its truth, and as assuredy verify it
as that the sun will set to night.