Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-11

he Return of the Seventeen Year Locusts.

The Return of the Seventeen Year Locusts.
have been much interested in the reap
pearance of this singular insect. after the
lapse of just seventeen years to Il day. Last
evening and this morning they could DE
seen coming out of the ground in all places
where trees were growing seventeen years
ago. They crawl up the trees and bushes,
attach themselves by their claws TO the
bark or leaves-after remaining quite lit
tie while you may see the line in the upper
part of the back gradually open, and soon
the back Of the incosed insect will be seen
emerging-then follows the head-then the
limbs, and finally the entire insect has cast
off the subteranean coat which has lasted 1t
SO long. Soon the wings, that have been
folded up in the smallest possible space are
untoded and shaken loose, and you are sur
prised at the extent to which they are ex-
banded. At first the locust after casting OFT
its coat, is exceedingly delicate, almost dia-
phanous in appearance, but it soon after be-
comes darker colored, stronger, and in ev-
cry way fitted for the great change that has
so suddenly taken place in its nature.
Many people have already commenced the
work of the obstruction of these beautiful
creatures Indeed the organ of destruction
in many people is SO large that they wage
an indiscriminate war against all Insects
to me the most wonderful Of all Gods crea-
tons. Some insects are certainty injurious,
but many are useful; just so with birds-the
man that kills them all, will soon find his
mistake.
The locust is perfectly harmless. They
eat nothing except to sip Il little dew, during
the few weeks they live in this form OF their
existence.
In a few days our forests will be vocal
with the singing of these locusts. To the
man whose heart is right, it will be music
to some it will be mere noise. Seventeen
wears aro. some of the Mil!e-ites thought
the end had really come and they were look
ing about for their ascension robes. This
year your poultry of all kinds, your hogs
that run at large, and all the birds, Will be
busy feeding upon the locusts. The crows
this season will not disturb the farmers
cornfeds-the locusts will afford them
more palateablc food, with much less dam
ger from the guns Of the farmers boys.
Although the locust appears only once in
seventeen years in any one locality, and OBJ
serves that pcrodicity with absolute certain
ty, they do not appear in every part of the
country at the same time In Northern New
England and Canada they are not known.
Neither is exactly the same insect found IN
Europe or other parts Of the world. The
locults Of the Bible, one Of the plaques, was
ii much larger insect and more like our
grasshopper in form and like the grass-hop-
per had no subterranean existence, and OF
course, lived and grew and fed upon the
surface.
During the seventeen years that the locust
is under ground, it never changes its form
it is supposed to attach itself to the tender
roots OF trees and plants, and live by suction.
70 me it is welcome guest; love its music
i think it bcautitul-it is certainly Won
dcriul--to contemplate it, you cannot bnt
contemplate also the God that created it.
The only regret have in seeing it again, is
that it is Serenteea years since saw 1t last.
NepuJL N7cn,y.