The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-03
LOCUSTS IN YUCATA1.
Swarms of These Pests in Almost Incredi-
BILE Numbers As Seen by Traveller.

SWarms or These Pests in Almost 1ncredi-
BILE Numbers As Seen by q Traveller.
"We saw just such plague during
our expedition among the ruins OF
Yucatan. The plague appeared first
in Tabasco, where millions of the de-
structive creatures fell into the water,
poisoned it and thus caused cholera.
From 1881 to 1885 the locusts lorded it
over large territory. By day they
literally flooded the atmosphere. At
dusk they settled, covering every OBJ
ject within their reach SO thickly that
their weight bore down the strongest
tree branches.
Fanatics declared that they wore
the venerated cowl of ST. Francis and
had the image of a chalice on the
thorax. Others found the date 1881
under each wing and said they were
sent by God, because the year was
marked on them. In small villages
they were welcomed with bell ringing,
fireworks and music, but by and BY The
bishop and his clergy solemnly exor-
cised them in front of the cathedral of
Merida. Even that had no effect,
though similar effort was said to
have been successful in 1851.
ION our way to the ruins we found
large tracts of land covered with
moving mass of young locusts, unable
to take fight, while overhead streamed
their elders. passing through the air
like rapidly flowing river. We have
seen such swarm about mile wide
passing over one spot during seven con-
secutive days. At dusk they settled,
devonred what they could find-castor
oil plant being the only thing they de-
spised-and rested till nine or ten
next morning. They stripped even the
bark from orange and other trees.
Everything green was destroyed as if
fire had swept the land.
There were three different species
Of locust, the largest measuring eight
inches across the wings, which were
crimson. Some agriculturists saved
portions Of their fields by always invit-
ing the plague to pass on. Striking on
a tin pan was effective. The sound APP
peared to be highly Objectionable to
the insects, and when a few led the
way VIC ISSe 1OlioHcU iihc d LUCK VI
sheep
Those unable to fly were called
jumpers. We passed through clear
ing half mile square covered with
billions of these. They lay three or
four deep, all necessarily striving to be
on the top, just like human beings. If
we pushed "A few in any direction
thousands followed.
The eggs could remain under water
for month without detriment. As
soon as warmth reached them they
would spring into life. Land owners
paid their field laborers so much a
bushel for dead locusts. Hundreds of
thousands of bushels were destroyed,
but it was in vain, Large trenches
were dug in the earth, the insects
driven in and buried alive. The Larvae
worked their way 20 the surface.
When the locusts were flying the mil
lions of wings made a noise like the
roaring of the ocean or strong wind,
and in sunlight their elytra appeared
like golden snow futtering in midair.
At times they were SO numerous as to
obscure the light. At dusk in letting
themselves drop many injured their
wings
Each one had on its mouth drop
Of red liquid which sufficed To redden
cupful OF water. Not content with
working out OF doors the creatures Ell
tered houses and exercised their leg
saws on clothing or what other material
they could find. They wandered about
the furniture as If they had lost their
way, jumped al our face. as If that WAS
the very spot they had been looking
for, crawled over our notebook as II