Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1891 — INSECTS BLOCK A TRAIN. [ARTICLE]

INSECTS BLOCK A TRAIN.

Pecnllar Turtle-Back Species That Gave Forth a Sound Like Exploding: Torpedoes. As the freight train going to the large limestone quarries near Brighton Corners N. Y., on the 2d, approached an electri, light that hung over a deep cut, a darkq moving mass, extending about sixty feet along the track, was observed. The engineer hesitated a moment, but not being of an investigating turn of mind, determined to plough through the obstruction. As the wheels rolled over the mass a loud, crackling sound, like the successive explosions of toy torpedoes, came from beneath the engine. The progress of the engine became slower, and soon the drivingwheels began to slip upon the rails, and the train came to a stop. An investigation revealed the presence jf swarms of a peculiar insect, which bore a resemblance to the electric-light bug so well known in these parts, though the multitudinous possessors of the track were somewhat larger, the outer shell of the back being about the size and shape of half a shanghai egg-shell. It was this turtle-like armor that gave forth thq cracking sound. The shell is black, and partakes of the nature of stone. An examination of the quarry showed small holes bored in the sides, which were apparently the habitation of some insect, and the kind found upon the track are believed to be a species of lithodome or rock boring moilusk. Those who claim to know see in these the shadow of a coming hotsummer and a precursor of the arrival of the dreaded electric bug. To secure the shipment of the stone, It was necessary to let the loaded train from the quarry above- come down the track with a momentum sufficient to plow a thoroughfare.