The evening Republican., 1902-06-07
INTERESTING ].
TAlLK0N LOCOSTS

Union, DEL, June 7.-FNrmers In
this section have been much interest
ed in locusts. There are millions Of
them In this section to judge by the
noise they make. At the meeting of
Pomona Grange on Thursday the lee
tuler of the Grange Julian G. Walker
read a deeply interesting paper on
locusts and those present would like
to have the same appear in print as 1T
will be such interest to tho young
people.
Locust" is an erroneous name for
this remarkable insect. 1t should be
termed the "periodical cicada. 1t
has the longest life period Of any
known insect, and, according to D.
L. Marlatt, one of the government
entomologists, who has made spe-
cial study Of its habits, it is undoubt.
cdly the uost anomalous and inter-
esting of American insects. The vast
army, numbering countless billions,
which is expected to reappear this
year, has been followed in its ravages
from the year l7l5, since when it has
never failed to rcappear in the last
week Of May at regular intervals of
seventeen years. Wherever it ap-
paarcd in 1885, the year Of its last
outbreak, it is practically sure to re-
appear this year.
In the year 1885 these myriads Of
insects entered the earth aud aimee
then they have not beheld the light
of day. In June Of that year Mother
Cicada industriousy planted her
| hundred Of eggs in the green twigs
Of the trees, while Father Cicada
sat close by and merrilv sang to her
his ditty of love. A few weeks later
the antlike baby cicadas escaped
from their shells. fell lightly to the
ground and quickly burrowed out Of
sight, forming for themselves little
subterranean chambers or cells ad.
joining the sappy rootlets Of the
parent tree. in the fresh juices OF
whose twigs the producing eggs had
been deposited for nourishment.
In this underground cell, at first
the size Of small grain of bird shot,
but gradually growing with its occu-
] rant each cicada has remained, with
| in two feet Of the surface, through
winter and summer, buried from
light, air and sun, and protected in
q manner from cold ard r,ost. 1t
has lived thus in absolute solitude,
knowing only its moist earthen cham
Der, separated from its brothers and
sisters, rarely changing its position,
save as some accident to The noursh.
ing rootIet has necesaitated its seek
ing another. In this sepulchral dark
ness and solitude it is still patiently
waiting to emerge from the ground,
grow wings and enjoy a few weeks
only Of the society Of its fellows, The
warmth and brightness Of the sun,
and fragrant summer air.
Just before coming 10 the surface
this wingless, underground cicada
has been known in many localities
10 erect odd little mud chimneys.
projecting sometimes six or eight
irchcs above the surface. These
are constructed of soft pellets Of
clay brought IRON below and press
ed firmly into place. Why the
cicada builds them prior to his
advent into the upper world no
eutomologist can logically explain.
If jou desire to see one OF the
most remarkable phenomena OF
nature keep your eyes open during
the evenings. Select a patch OF
open soil, preferably under an old
orchard tree, and there institute a
close watch just as the sun is set
ting. AS soon as tn at great orb OF
day shall have hidden Its tacs the
brown, wiugless meets will
emerge from their holes with a
rush and scramble for the nearest
tree, bush, weed, pole, stump. or
fence. In some localities the
ground will be literally alive aud
hidden. by 9 p. NJ. the bulk OF the
army will hav G risen. A lew
slragglers will continue until mid
night.