TCD MS 10515 folio 52v
[April 28th 1916]
individuals of a larger swarm, which however was not visible. Both this latter swarm and the previous one appeared after heavy rain when the moisture had stimulated into activity other forms of insect life. The day before the appearance of the first swarm termites had emerged in nuptial flight and sexual forms of Ants (Camponotus) had been numerous on the day preceding the arrival of the second swarm. I thought that perhaps just as a heavy shower of rain will call forth into long life the myriads of tiny insects from their dark winter homes, so will it infuse with activity swarms of locusts and urge them forward in a dense throng to migrate into distant lands.
*(I tried to estimate the rate of movement of the swarm. I calculated that a locust covered 20 yards in 5 seconds