Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-04-09
NO XXI.
AaERIcAs LocUsrs

tNcIn Dy DT. GlQeOu d. cuuth, iiohi VIC SCi~
entifc American:
In the whole range of natural history
there is nothing more strange than the fact,
which has been establish with as much
certainty as any fact in astronomy ever was,
that little insect not as large as the
smallest ant shall pass into the ground and
remain there seventeen years, and then e.
merge in the form of comparatively large
insect; or, that certain tribe Of insects
shall appear here in immense numbers
numbers almost equal to those Of the sands
ON the sea shore-exactly once in seventeen
years, always in the same month, almost on
the same day and same hour, II is indeed
wonderful, but it is nevertheless true.
The music, song or sound, produced by
the myriads of insects in warm dry day
from about the Goth of May to the middle OF
June, is wonderful. II is not deafening as
many describe it,-even in its height it does
not interrupt ordinary conversation. II
seems like an atmosphere of wild monoto-
nous sound, in which all other sounds float
with perfect distinctness. l. never could
distinguish anything like the word "Phara-
oh" in these sounds. After you have be-
come satisfied with the novelty of this mu-
sic, which will be in day or two, it be-
comes exceedingly tiresome and doleful,
and to many very disagreeable. TO me 1t
was otherwise, and when | heard the last
note on the 25th of June, the melancholy
reflection occurred-shall live to hear it
again.
Probably the first indication many per-
sons will have of the approach Of the To-
Gusts, will be the industry with which they
will find the hogs roofing up the ground in
the woods and fields. 1t is great fes-
tival for them. And as soon as the in
sects appear above ground, chickens, tur-
keys and all poultry will also have their
feast. So fond are the fowls, birds, pigs &C.,
of these insects, that they viii scarcely
touch other food during the locust season
This has remarkable effect upon all hens
eggs laid after the locusts appear-their
yoIks are nearly white. The chickens be.
come very fat, and in fine flavor. Even
the little wren will be seen flying off with
locust in its mouth, and all the insectivorous
birds then have great festival.
From the lst to the Goth June, all shrub
berry of value should be protected, either by
covering it with cheap gauze, or, in case OF
pot plants, by keeping them in the house,
About the 18th of June they commence de-
posting their eggs. About the 25th Of June
the old locusts will have disappeared alto
gether.
In conclusion, people ought not to be a.
larmed. The w on its wings does not indi-
cate uar. nor the E England. The ''sting'
of the locust never killed any body, for the
best of all reasons-because it has none
The insect has neither means of offence or
defence; and all the stories that are told Of
children being killed by their sting or bite
are fabulous. If death ever was produced,
or any less injury when locusts were pres
ent, some other cause effected it.
Another writer says When they come up
from the earth-always about daylight or a
little before-they climb the first object they
meet with,a tree, or bush, or stake, anything
two or three feet. They then lay hold of
the bark, fixing themselves firmly by their
claws and commence working themselves
out of their old SHE'LL which is done by rup-
turing iton the back, between the shoulders,
and drawing themselves out. AS soon as
they get fairly out, they seize hold of the
old shell with their claws, raise themselves,
and begin to expand their wings. Their
bodies and wings at this time are exceeding
ly delicate, white and moist but few min.
utes exposure to the air dries and hardens
them, so that by the time the sun is fairly
risen they arc perfect, and can fly. The
wings before sloughing are beautifully fold
ed up, and it is beautiful sight to see them
unfoIded, and in few minutes change from
the most soft to the firm and rigid wing of
a perfect insect. If it be wet or very
cloudy day, they are very apt to perish in
the act of sloughing and drying.
Though they can fly, their flight is very
short; from tree to tree, some fifty or hum
dred yards is about as far as they usually
attempt to fly. Very high winds frequently
drive them to considerable distance, even
Over rives: Rivers and mountains are gen.
orally the boundaries of their districts.
AS before stated, there are now several
places where the insects of neighboring dis
tricts have comingled, causing their appear
ance every eight or nine years alternately,
SC. Who knows that but other insects re-
quire also number of years for their exis-
tence, though they now appear to be annu-
al' The progeny Of one that appearedsev-
eral years ago coming up this year; and
those of another that appeared year after
coming up next year and SO on. asa
SCIENTIFIC FAcrs.-We gather the fol.
lowing facts from late number of Apple.
toms Mechanics Magazine, one of the best
practical scientific works of the day: ~
In this number there is an account of 4 ma
chine for the incest admeasurement Of bod
les, by which the difference Of the diameters
of two hairs can be rendered palpahle. c:l
A remarkable instance of the divisibiIitv
of matter is seen in the dyeing of silk with
cochinesl drachm of which gives an in
ko,,a color IN q ,,n,,n1 .c I'll .-.t.:..L