22 



the time taken to perform the different operations', etc. ; but I must 

 postpone the record of them till after further observations and 

 confirmations of some of the notes already made. In the meantime 

 I hope that others may take the opportunity of making some of the 

 cages and watching these most fas'cinating insects for themselves. 

 Although the beetles are carrying out the lowly work of scavengers, 

 their work is a most important one, a? they convey large quantities 

 of obnoxious matter below the surface of the soil, much being 

 abandoned by the insects during the time when they are engaged 

 upon feeding and not ovipositing, and so serving as a fertiliser. 

 Their habits and mode of work make them appear to be endowed 

 with many virtues and much intelligence. A good deal has been 

 written about them by Fabre in which speculation however plays a 

 large part. His votaries did not show him the insect actually 

 engaged on much of their work, but his assiduit}- and devotion in 

 recording in most delightful language his observations and specula- 

 tions make his works an inspiration to many besides his own 

 countrymen. It is not sufhcient however for one to be satisfied 

 with reading about things which can be seen for oneself in ones 

 own immediate neighbourhood, hence the evolving of the 

 " Observation, cages," and these notes. 



