Myriads of these animals
pour down from the mountains, and form an overwhelming troop, which
nothing can resist. The disposition of their march is generally in
lines, about three feet asunder, and exactly parallel. In this order
they advance with as much regularity as a well-disciplined army; and, it
is remarked, that their course is from the north-west or south-east.
They frequently cover the extent of a square mile, travelling in the
night. They always halt in the day, and in the evening resume their
march. No opposition can stop them; and, whatever way their course is
directed, neither fire not water can turn them out of their road. If a
lake or river intercept their progress, they will swim across, or perish
in the attempt; if a fire interrupt their course, they instantly plunge
into the flames; if a well, they dart down into it; if a hay-rick, they
eat through it; and, if a house stand in their way, they either attempt
to climb over it, or eat through it; but, if both be impracticable, they
will rather die with famine before it, than turn out of the way. If
thousands perish, thousands still supply their place, until the whole
column be destroyed. Wherever they pass, they annihilate every trace of
vegetation, and, when subsistence fails, are said to divide into two
different armies, which engage with the most deadly hostility, and
continue fighting and devouring each other, till they are all entirely
destroyed.
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