CHAPTER III» 



A WAV.bl OF LIFE, 



Fob many years, while living in my own home on 

 the pampas, I kept a journal, in which all my daily 

 observations on the habits of animals and kindred 

 matters were carefully noted. Turning back to 

 1872-3, I find my jottings for that season contain a 

 history of one of those waves of life — for I can think 

 of no better name for the phenomenon in question 

 — that are of such frequent occurrence in thinly- 

 settled regions, though in countries like England, 

 seen very rarely, and on a very limited scale. An 

 exceptionally bounteous season, the accidental miti- 

 gation of a check, or other favourable circumstance, 

 often causes an increase so sudden and inordinate 

 of small prolific species, that when we actually 

 witness it we are no longer surprised at the notion 

 prevalent amongst the common people that mice, 

 frogs, crickets, &c., are occasionally rained down 

 from the clouds. 



In the summer of 1872-3 we had plenty of sun- 

 shine, with frequent showers ; so that the hot 

 months brought no dearth of wild flowers, as in 

 most years. The abundance of flowers resulted iu 

 a wonderful increase of humble bees. I have never 

 known them so plentiful before ; in andr about the 



