CHAP. VIII.

On the Utility of different Animals in the Creation. Locusts. Mosquitoes. Ostrich. Hints to Explain the Principle of Action in Animals; which, having no Responsibility, can have no Blame.

If we could discover the use of every animal in the creation, we should gain a very clear insight into the grand designs of the ALMIGHTY, respecting creatures inferior to ourselves; and perceive the immediate cause, or necessity, of their existence, and how far we have a right to interfere with their economy. That man should ever attain the whole extent of this knowledge, in this state of existence, can scarcely be hoped for; but, that he may learn much, there can be no doubt.

Because the utility of some animals, in a general view, is not palpably obvious, we ought not pettishly or hopelessly to give up

the inquiry. Some of the most numerous are, apparently, the most noxious, and the least useful, as the locust (gryllus migratorius), for example. It has never been my fortune to visit countries subject to the devastations of these insects; and the travellers who describe them, seem, either through want of inclination, or astonishment at the desolating effects produced by their incursions, unable to give those facts which an industrious and attentive Naturalist, with enlarged views, might collect and apply to some useful purpose; for there can be no doubt that INFINITE WISDOM would not have permitted these insects to be so numerous as they are, if their existence was not absolutely necessary. Of the myriads of these insects, and the effects produced by them, some idea may be formed from the following lively description, by one of the most intelligent and accomplished travellers of modern times *.

"We now began to perceive the truth of

*Dr. CLARKE.

those surprising relations which we had heard and read concerning the locust in countries infested with that insect. The steppes (of the south of Russia) were entirely covered by their bodies; and their numbers falling resembled flakes of snow carried obliquely by the wind, thick mist over the sun.

and spreading a Myriads fell over

the carriage, the horses, and the drivers. The stories of these animals told us by the Tartars were even more marvellous than any we had before heard. They said that instances had occurred of persons being suffocated by a fall of locusts in the steppes. It was now the season, they further added, in which their numbers began to diminish. When they first make their appearance, a thick dark cloud is seen very high in the air, which, as it passes, obscures the sun. I had always supposed the stories of the locusts to exaggerate their real appearance, but found these swarms so astonishing in all the steppes over which we passed in this part of our journey, that the whole face of nature might have been described as concealed

by a living veil. They were of two kinds, the gryllus tartaricus, and the gryllus migratorius, or common migratory locust. The first is almost twice the size of the second; and, since it precedes the other, bearing the name of the herald or messenger. The migratory locust has red legs; and its inferior wings have a lively red colour, which gives a bright fiery appearance to the animal, when fluttering in the sun's rays. The strength of limbs possessed by it is amazing: when pressed down by the hand upon a table, it has almost power to raise the fingers: but this force resides wholly in the legs; for if one of these be broken off, which happens by the slightest accident, the power of action ceases. There is yet a third variety of locust, gryllus viridissimus of LINNEUS, found near the Don and the Kuban, which is entirely of a green colour. This last I have since seen upon the banks of the Cam,

in

my own country, and felt for the moment intimidated, lest such a presage should be the herald of the dreadful scourge which the locust bears wherever it abounds. On

whatever spot these animals fall, the whole vegetable produce disappears *. Nothing escapes them, from the leaves of the forest to the herbs of the plain; fields, vineyards, gardens, pasture, every thing is laid waste; and sometimes the only appearance left upon the naked soil is a disgusting superficies caused by their putrefying bodies, the stench of which is sufficient to breed a pestilence +."

* "In the year 593 many countries were afflicted by famine, in consequence of rayages committed by locusts. In 677, Syria and Mesopotamia were overrun by them, In 852, they migrated from the eastern countries; and, after devastating whole regions in the West, were driven by winds into the Belgic Ocean. In 1271, all the corn near Milan was destroyed by them; and in the year 1339, all the fields in Lombardy were laid waste. In 1541, they penetrated to Poland and Wallachia; in 1673, some swarms settled in Wales; and in 1748, fell in several parts of England, particularly in the neighbourhood of London."

SHAW's Zoology, vol. vi. part i. p. 136 & 7.

The best method of destroying them would be to recommend them as an article of food.

often eaten by the inhabitants.

In the Crimea, they are

Some French emigrants,

who had been directed in this manner, assured me, that