244 SOCIAL LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD 



surface of the acorn. What then has happened, that this 

 unhappy insect should be impaled like a specimen 

 beetle with a pin through its head ? 



An accident of the workshop is responsible. On 

 account of the length of its implement the beetle 

 commences her work standing upright, supported by the 

 two hind-legs. Imagine a slip, a false step on the part of 

 the two adhesive feet ; the unfortunate creature will 

 immediately lose her footing, dragged by the elasticity of 

 the snout, which she was forced to bend somewhat 

 at the beginning. Torn away from her foothold, the 

 suspended insect vainly struggles in air ; nowhere can 

 her feet, those safety anchors, find a hold. She starves 

 at the end of her snout, for lack of foothold whereby 

 to extricate herself. Like the artisans in our factories, 

 the elephant-beetle is sometimes the victim of her 

 tools. Let us wish her good luck, and sure feet, careful 

 not to slip, and proceed. 



On this occasion all goes well, but so slowly that 

 the descent of the drill, even when amplified by the 

 magnifying-glass, cannot be perceived. The insect veers 

 round perpetually, rests, and resumes her work. An 

 hour passes, two hours, wearying the observer by their 

 sustained attention ; for I wish to witness the precise 

 moment when the beetle withdraws her drill, turns 

 round, and deposits her egg in the mouth of the orifice. 

 This, at least, is how I foresee the event. 



Two hours go by, exhausting my patience. I call the 

 household to my aid. Three of us take turns, keeping 

 an uninterrupted watch upon the persevering creature 

 whose secret I intend at any cost to discover. 



It was well that I called in helpers to lend me their 



