清代安徽淮河流域蝗灾及其社会应对——基于地方志的考察

Locust Plague in Huaihe Basin in Anhui Province in the Qing Dynasty and Its Social Response ——A Study Based on the Local Chronicles

蝗灾是农业社会仅次于水旱灾害之后的又一大灾害,"凶饥之因有三:曰水,曰旱,曰蝗。地有高卑,雨泽有偏被。水旱为灾,尚多幸免之处;惟旱极而蝗,数千里间草木皆尽,或牛马毛,幡帜皆尽,其害尤惨,过于水旱"[1]。淮河流域地处中国南北气候分界线上,南北气候的差异造成这一带旱涝异常,因此,了解这一地区的蝗灾,对于理清蝗灾与旱灾的联系,以及还原清代这一地区的蝗灾及治蝗具有重要意义。

Locust plague is just next to flood and drought disasters in the agricultural society. ＂There are three reasons for the terrible famine, the flood, the drought and the locust plague. The fields are rough, when it rains it would get flooded. When it gets flooded or dry, some of the filed can escape from the famine. However, when the locust plague comes, all the trees and grass would get eaten out. Its harm is more terrible than the flood and the drought. Huaihe river basin is located on the divide line of the north and south China climate. The difference between north and south climate causes drought and flood in this area. Therefore, acquaintance with the locust plague in this area is of great significance to clarify the locust plague links with the drought, and reduce locust plague in this area.