"I wish," said John, "that the wind would drive all we have into the
sea, or else a good distance from our fig tree. Who would think that
such little animals could do so much mischief."

"Is it true that locusts return after every seventeen years?" asked
Samuel.

"Yes," said Mr. Harvey; "but not the common kind, such as ate the fig
tree. All locusts come from eggs. In first coming from the egg, they are
not winged, but look like grub worms. After a while these grubs cast off
their skins, and become locusts. Now, there is a kind of locust which is
seventeen years in changing from the egg to the full insect It is this
kind which is so numerous every seventeen years. If you go into the
field when they are coming from the ground, you will see the grass and
plants covered with them."

"Father," said John, "why did the locusts strip all the leaves from the
fig tree, without touching any of the flowers or bushes around?"

"I suppose," said Mr. Harvey, "it is because the fig tree is very
tender. It comes, you know, from warm countries, and is there the proper
food of the locust. Had there been figs on the tree, they would, no
doubt, have been eaten also."




CHAPTER XIII.