The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-08-19

THE BEETLES Is UTAH-The Austin (Nevada) Re
Feille of June 90 gives the following description o.
this formidable and dreaded plague:
Utah is not only plagued with iocusts, but with an
insect called the g elephant beetle" From the de-
scrption given to of this formidable insect we can
easily imagine that its presence appas the inhabitants
of that Territory. a reliable person who removed
from the neghborhood of Salt Lake, last week, saw
vrads of them covering the earth with their shining
brownish black bodies, and destroying every thing
which they met in their path. Even small animals,
he was informed by the Inflated residents, did
cape the voracty of these hordes; their bodies were
crowded upon and worried and wounded cruelty with
the powerful antennn until they fell down exhausted
by their struggles and loss of blood, when they were
fastened upon by thousands and devoure9. The en-
tire of sheep eaten and the bones picked
clean in minutes and quarter and it is said that
a dead OK would be gobbled up by them in quarter
of hour. So ferocaus these giant beetles that
mothers are afraid to let their little children go out OF
the house unattended by grown person. In their
frequent bloody contests the wounded are deFoured
in an instant.
Our informant says they about four inches long,
with legs three inches long; their antanna stiff,
sharp, fully four inches long they have short tail,
armed with powerful born, and their shells so
hard that the weight Of man will scarcely crush
them. They are very frisky at times, and jump with
the agility of feas. No other species of the beetle
possesses their faculty of uterng loud sound, which,
made by thousands Of them at once, resembles the
the horses of informant and his companion, who
could not be kept upon the plain, great vas their
fright. On one OCCASION while they riding in a
valley that black with beetles, and crushing them
under their horses hoofs when their hard would
crack with report ike rife, the fercejnsects showed
disposition to attack the horses, and fairly drove
them out of the field. We are informed that scen-
tic man in Salt Lake City collecting specimens OF
this formidable elephant beetle for tranmisson the
various learned institutions of the country.
DIVORCE IN SYRIA.-If man divorce his wife he
cannot take her again, or her face IF both
and wife agree divorce it takes place; if not
there is secret meeting held of the friends of the par
ties called the assembly of verfcaton. If the fault
be the side of the male, he must, on separation
give the wife the half of his property aud uice oerso
One of the most singular customs of the Druses is that
if news true or false, go abroad that has d.
vorced his wife, the eadi sends for Em and says The
news of your divorce having gone abroad, it must
take place" And if the should say, " | have not
divorced my wife it is Of no avail IF any female make
faur pas, the whole family is SO disgraced that no
other will ntermarry with them and they become Ut
terly contemplate; but the brother the UNCLE if
no relation exist the cousin, by putting her to
death, wipes out the disgrace and the family is re-
stored to its former position. In like this the
civil authority rarely interferes punish the
murderer. The best Illustration give of this sub
ject is anecdote related to me by the deputy of
local governor 81 was asleep in bed, when, in the
middle of the night, heard rap at tie door of my
room. Who's there?' said l. voice answered,
Nasreddn.' opened the door, and in came Druse,
bearing sack on his shoulders. What brings you
here at this untmey hour?' said I. MY sister has
had intrigue, and have killed her. There is her
horn and other ornaments in the sack; and, as /
afraid the Governor will do something to me, want
your intercesslon.' why, here two horns in the
sack, said ! killed her mother too; for she knew
of the intrigue There is no power but in God Al
mighty! If your sister were impure, was that rea
for killing your mother? But lie down and Sleep
In the morning said to him, I suppose you we're
too uneasy to sleep. BY Allah Q my uncle, "a usual
phrase) as unhappy has dshonor made me, that fora
year have not slept sQundly until last night then
went with him to the Governor and said, win you
give Nasreddin the handkerchief of amnesty?' The
Governor said to Nasreddin, Speak without fear
Nasreddn recounted his story and the Governor said
La 6as, (no harm). On which he kissed the Cover
nor's hand and went away"