NATURAL HISTORY.
{"newspaper_name": "The Litchfield County post.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
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A curious circumstance in Natural History is related in the last number of the American Quarterly Review. The large winged grass hopper, which flutters with SO much vivacity through our meadows during the autumn, feeds upon vegitable matter, and deposits its eggs upon vegitables for the purpose of being supported until matured. Before the grass hopper takes wing, another insect, the ichneu- mon, alights upon its body,and rhrusts under it's skin a number of eggs, by means of tu- bula, awl shaped oviduct.-These eggs slow ly acquire perfection, become living worms, and feed upon the body of the hapless grass hopper, until themselves are ready to take wlng. So admirably do they perform their office, ,that they do not injure the vital organs of the insect they are internally devouring, until they are just ready to change their state; and at the proper season, hundreds of grasshoppers, in this condition, have just strength enough to futter to a tree or fence, and with a dying effort fix their hooked feet so firmly as to retain that position long after death. Examine their bodies at this season, and you will find an empty shell, or one filled with large and active worms, just ready to burst their coverings and become winged insects.

 The recently published number of the North American Review supplies us with a. nOther description of natural object, but lit- tie known, to common readers, though said to be familiar to the sight of those who navi- gate between the trophics-the beautiful ,and enigmatical insect, commonly named the Portugues man-of-war. It is from memoir by DOctar Tilesias, who accompanied M. de Krusenster, in his voyage around the world. "This singular animal had for several times been delineated, described, and endOw ed with names, yet not only its denOmina- tions were various, but also the nature and characteristic ascribed to it. According to some it was Polypus, according to others a ZoOphyte. and others ranged it among the Mollusca.-Naturalists who followed in the steps of Lime have called it the PhysGLis' Wonderful as is all the works of Providence, | admirably fitted as are the several parts of each created being for their several functions, complex in composition as they somtiemes at first seem, while yet they are always found l to be really so simple and suitable in their action, on a nearer investigation. we may nevertheless, venture to rank this little animat- ed creature among the most curious phenOm- ena of nature. A worm between and inches in length, which is found but in certain attitudes, has seemingly the skill and know ledge of an experienced navigator, and IS in | itself little ship. Its evolutions are accord ing to the winds; it raises and lowers its sail which is membrane provided with eleyating | and depressing organs. When filled with aiI it is so light, that it swims on the surface o alcohol, and is at the same time provided with structure, which furnishes it the neces- Sary ballast.

 When high winds would endanger its ex. istance, it descends into the deep. and is nev' CT seen on the surface of the water. From the under side of the body proceeds flores