Locust

(lo'kust.) [L. locusta.] (Zool.) A name common to several orthopterous insects, divided into two families: 1. Locustariæ, embracing gra hopper-like species, which have very long, slender an tennæ, four jointed tarsi, and the females have a long ovipositor. Many of them, as for instance the Katydid, Crytophyllus concavus (Fig. 451), produce a stridulant noise by rubbing their wing - covers together. 2. Acrydii, embracing very numerous species which have a large head, short and stout an tennæ, very strong hind-legs, three-jointed tarsi, and no projecting ovipositor. Lo cu sts are found in almost all parts of the world, but they abound chiefly in tropical and subtropical countries, and most of all in Arabia and Africa, where the Migratory Locust (Acrydiummigratorium) do immense injury to vegetation, literally devouring everything green; and when they migrate they fly in clouds, Fig.451. darkening the air KATYDID, (Crytophyllus concavus.) by their numbers. Happily for mankind, this calamity is not frequently repeated, for it is the inevitable precursor of famine and its horrible accompaniments. Even when dead, they are still productive of evil consequences; since the putrefaction which arises from their inconceivable number is so great, that it is justly regarded as one of those desolating pestilences which almost depopulate whole districts of country. Sometimes, though not often, they appear in Europe, and produce the same effects. In the year 591 an army of unusually large locusts ravaged Italy; and being at last cast into the sea (as seems for the most part to be their fate), a pestilence, it is alleged, arose from their stench, which carried off vast multitudes of men and beasts. In the Venetian territory, likewise, in 1478, more than 30,000 persons are said to have perished in af amine chiefly occasioned by the depredations of locusts. In Barrow's Travels it is stated, that in S. Africa the whole surface of the ground might literally be said to be covered with them for an area of 2,000 sq. m. The water of a very wide river was scarcely visible on account of their dead bodies that floated on the surface. The larvæ are much more voracious than the perfect insects; and when they are on a march during the day, it is utterly impo ible to alter the direction in which they move, which is generally with the wind. Much controversy has arisen regarding the " locusts and wild honey " which were the food of John the Baptist in the wilderne . But wild honey is found in the clefts of the rocks of Judæa as abundantly as in the caves of Hindostan. And if we refer to the book of Levitic us (xi. 22), we shall find that locusts constituted a common food among the Jews; the different kinds which they were permitted to eat being there specified. Locusts are still now eaten in many countries, roasted, or fried in butter. They are also preserved in brine or dried in the sun. They thus appear in the markets of Arabia, merce Egypt,. ., and are even exported as an article of com- [s. 551]