Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/447

* LOCUST. 395 LOCUST-TREE. States and do more or less damage for a single season, as has been the case in restricted locali- ties in Minnesota and North Dakota the past few years. The eggs of locusts are usually laid in the ground. "it!i the Rocky ^Mountain species from twenty to thirty-five are laid together in a com- pact mass covered with a pod. The locust itself occupies seven weeks from the time of hatching in attaining its full growth. The locusts of the, Old World have been known to fly to Central ] jiropc from their permanent breeding-grounds in ( rntral Asia. In Xorth America they often e.xlend their flights over a distance of from one thousand to two thousand miles, or from Jlon- tana to Missouri, and even to Texas. Flight takes place during the day and ends toward sundown. The rate of travel varies from three to twenty miles an hour, depending upon the wind. The height at which the migrating swarms mine differs greatly, according to the direction noticed, for example, flying far above the summit of Parry's Peak, an elevation of more than thirteen thousand feet. The best measures advised for their destruction are harrowing and late fall plowing for the de- struction of the eggs, crushing of the newly hatched individuals between rollers, and especially tlip collecting of the young individuals by an ap- jiaratus consisting primarily of a coal-oil pan cither dragged along the ground or mounted upon wiieels. Of late years a good remedy has been discovered in the use of a mash of bran and arsenic, which is distributed in little moist masses about the infested fields. The locusts are fond of til is mixture, and it is fatal to them. Good results have been reached in South Africa, and to a much lesser degree in the United States, during the past few years, by distributing a patlingrnic fungus of the genus Sporotriclium, which kills the locusts when they occur in ■arms. Locusts are also subject to several lier diseases: there is a fungus of the genus -Mucor which imdoubtedly kills them, and another (Empusn (iri/Ili) frequently destroys them in great numbers. They have many natural enemies among birds and parasitic insects, inchiding hair- worms ( see HAlEWORit ), and insects that devour their eggs. Locusts are eaten in many countries, roasted or fried in butter. They are also pre- served in brine or dried in the sun. They thus appear in the markets of Arabia, Syria. Egy])t, and Madagascar, and are even exported as an article of commerce. They are also candied and eaten as a delicacy in China, and in the Philip- pines they frequently form an important article of diet among the poorer classes. Consult the First, Second, and Third Reports of the T'nited States Entomological Commission (Washington, 1877, 1879 and 1882) ; also Munro, The Locust Plague and Its Suppression (London, 100(1). LOCUS'TA, or LTJCXJSTA. A female poison- er at Rome, used by Agrippina to poison Claudius and by Xero to destroy Britannicus. For the latter deed she was rewarded by Xero, but was executed under the Emperor Galba. LOCTTST-BIRD. A bird notable for feeding upon locusts : especially a South African grakle fCreatophora carunculata). In the same re- gion a white stork is called 'great' locust-bird. Vol. XII— 26. and one of the pratincoles (Glareola yordmanni) 'little' loeust-bird. The great swarms oi locusts that frequently visit the South African plains are followed and attacked by the pratincoles in re- volving flocks ; their very curious actions are de- scribed at length by Layard, in Birch of South Africa (London, 18G7). In India the name is suitably given to a starling, the familiar rose- colored pastor. See Pastob. LOCUST-TREE. A name given to various trees of the natural order Lcguminosse. The earob-tree {C'eratonia silitjua) is often so called in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean. The locust-tree of America (Rohinia pscudacacia), also called the false acacia or thorn-acacia, and on the Continent of Europe very generally the acacia, is valuable. It is of rapid growth and is very ornamental, especially when in flower. On ac- count of its rapid growth, spiny branches, and ability to withstand trimming, it is considered a valuable hedge tree. Its generic name is derived from John Robin, who is said to have introduced the tree into France about the year ](!00. It succeeds well as a forest tree in Europe except in the North, where it suffers from frost. Locust- wood is compact, hard, takes a good polish, and is useful for all purposes in which great strength and especially toughness is required, a quality which makes it valuable in ship-building, for which large quantities are tiscd. It is also valu- able for making the cogs of wheels. In the United States the Robinia attains its best devel- opment in Kentucky, Tennessee, and vicinity, where in rich soil it reaches 70 to 80 feet and 3 feet in diameter. The tree is especially subject to insect injuries, on which account it is often condemned. The honey-locust tree of America is a Gleditschia. The" locust-tree of the West Indies {Himienwa courbaril) is a gigantic tree, whose pods supply a mealy nutritious substance in which the seeds are imbedded. It is sweet
 * ii»i height of the air-currents. They have been