228 ON THE COMMON DUNG BEKTLE. 



In the morning I found the candlesticks were removed from where I had left 

 them, one about eight inches, and the other nearly so, and the Beetles gone. 

 I was surprised at this, not being aware that so small a creature was capable of 

 making its escape from so strong a hold. The next evening I captured two more, 

 which I took home, and placed them separately under the same two candlesticks, 

 upon a rough deal board. I soon observed the candlesticks to move backwards 

 and forwards in quick succession. I then placed a two-pound weight on top of 

 one of the candlesticks, and then the Beetle moved the whole, two inches in 

 three-quarters of an hour: the weight being altogether two pounds and three- 

 quarters. Any person who wishes to be convinced by personal observation, of 

 course has an opportunity to try for himself. 



Since receiving the above, we have been favoured by Mr, Westcott with a 

 specimen of the Beetle, which however was deadj it proves to be Bolboceras 

 vioMicornis; along with it were the following additional observations. The 

 muscular power of many insects is extraordinary as compared with that of 

 any of the higher animals. — B. Ji, M. 



Inclosed is a specimen of the Dung Beetle, which I hope is alive, so that 

 you may be able to try a similar experiment to the one which I had the pleasure 

 of witnessing. Willing to ascertain if this one was as strong as its congener, 

 I placed it under a candlestick, which is twelve ounces; but I am not sure 

 that it was the same candlestick as in the former case, however the Beetle was 

 under, and I put three pounds eight ounces on the top, and strange to say, 

 the little animal moved the four pounds and a quarter, nine inches, in four 

 teen minutes. It was with interested attention I watched it perform the 

 Herculean feat, I put a second ixnder, but the candlestick did not move; I 

 lifted it up smartly and I found they were using their strength in opposition 

 to each other, I put it over them again, and presently it began to move 

 very rapidly, nearly quarter of an inch at a time; then they were both united 

 in their efiorts to escape, and which they would have readily accomplished if 

 it had been the candlestick alone which detained them, Next I allowed one 

 to crawl partly out, so that the edge of the candlestick rested on the centre 

 of the thorax, and by two or three hard struggles he cleared himself from the 

 pressure. Anxious to se3 how it managed to move its weighty prison, I placed 

 one under a rummer glass, andj after it had been enclosed for a short time, it 

 took a firm hold of the tablecloth with its mandibles, and the hooks of its 

 two fore legs, and then by gradually raising the abdomen, it forcibly pushed 

 the glass along. But it could not move the glass alone but very slightly, 

 owing to the smoothness of the interior. 



By observing the habits and economy of the Dung Beetle, it is evident that 

 great muscular power is required in the important office of multiplying its 

 species. For this purpose the female bores holes a considerable depth in the 

 earth, and deposits her eggs at the base, rolled up in little pellets of horse 

 or cow dung, and leaves them until the return of spring, when the eggs are 



