Alexandria Gazette

[communicated.]

THE LOCUSTS.

Mr. Snowden: The Locusts do not appear in all parts of North America at the same time; but they reappear in the same neighborhoods once in seventeen years. They appeared in Prince William and Fauquier in the years 1792, 1809 and 1826: ergo, may be expected again in 1843. They appear in the mountains as well as the plains. This incident is related by an inhabitant of the Bull Run Mountains: During their last visit, his slumbers were disturbed one night by some strange visitors that were disposed to be more familiar than was agreeable. Shaking them from his body, and striking a light, he discovered they were Locusts, and had made their unceremonious entry in his peaceful dwelling by perforating the floor of his cabin from side to side.

They seem to be innoxious and differ much from the voracious Locust of Asia that travels in armies and devours every green thing. The latter are used by inhabitants as food. John the Baptist "ate locusts and wild honey."

The grub comes out of the earth, ascends the body of a tree or stake of a fence, splits upon the back and becomes at once the winged insect, whose only errand seems to be to live 30 or 40 days, and propagate its species. The female is armed with an instrument with which she punctures the under side of the small limbs of trees, and lays therein her eggs. The eggs hatch in a short time, and the offspring (little worms) slide down the body of the tree or fall to the earth, and take up their downward march.

What purpose is answered by their journey downward, or to what depth they penetrate, is not known. They may, for aught we know, reach Symmes' hollow before they make a counter march. This is certain, that they are often found ascending at the bottoms of the deepest wells and excavations.

This much I have hastily written in reply to an article in your last Gazette, and if deemed worthy of a place in your paper, it is at your service.

The Plains P. O., Fauquier

June 28, 1834.