A FEW days ago, while return- 

 ing from a walk, I chanced 

 to observe a dead grass- 

 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 



