trance Starv ^Graj^Kepper 
c_^ <*-/ 
. 
: 
A FEW days ago, while return- 
ing from a walk, I chanced 
to observe a dead grass- 
:s hopper upon the dirt at 
the side of the road. Now 
this incident would not have 
been of special importance 
had I not discovered, upon 
careful post-mortem exami- 
nation, the very remarkable 
manner of the insect's death, 
which recalled a similar surprising episode of 
several years ago which I had almost forgotten. 
Upon referring to my note -book of that period, 
however, I found considerable space devoted to 
the incident, which greatly astonished me at the 
time. Inasmuch as it presents in a startling 
light the wonderful and strange resources by 
which nature holds in check the too rapid in- 
crease of species and maintains the great law 
of equilibrium among the insect forces, it is well 
