LOCUSTS AND GRASSHOPPERS (ACRIDIIDM). 97 



along which the exit is easily made, it may be mentioned 

 that the posterior or narrow end of the egg of Caloptenus 

 spretus points downwards in the egg-mass, so that the 

 exit of the young from the anterior end is thus rendered 

 easier. The quadrilinear arrangement of the eggs is 

 by no means constant, even in the same genus. But 

 even in the pods of those species of Caloptenus which 

 have the eggs irregularly arranged, the head ends 

 commonly point either outward or inward, so that the 

 newly-hatched creature may push out at the sides or 

 through a central space. 



Egg-Enemies. 



Notwithstanding the mother's care, fearful are the 

 odds against the development of her progeny. Ere yet 

 the locust is born, from the moment it starts life as an 

 egg, enemies stand in wait to cut short its career. The 

 smaller of these animals, belonging principally to its own 

 class, carry on this good work most effectually. We 

 altogether undervalue the usefulness of these tiny foes in 

 helping to keep the locust in check, simply because they 

 are often scarcely perceptible, and their work too often 

 goes on hid and unobserved. 



Beetles of the family Cantharidae hover in the locali- 

 ties where the eggs are laid and insert their eggs in the 



