SELF-DENIAL OF THE SPANISH COPRIS 



is introduced, bit by bit, the stuff that is just overhead, 

 or at any rate lying on the threshold of the cave. An 

 enormous supply of food is stored in a shapless mass, 

 plain evidence of the insect's gluttony. As long as 

 the hoard lasts the Copris remains underground. When 

 the larder is empty the insect searches out a fresh supply 

 of food, and scoops out another burrow. 



For the time being the Copris is merely a scavenger, 

 a gatherer of manure. She is evidently quite ignorant, 

 at present, of the art of kneading and modelling a round 

 loaf. Besides, her short clumsy legs seem utterly un- 

 suited for any such art. 



In May or June, however, comes laying-time. The 

 insect becomes very particular about choosing the softest 

 materials for her family's food. Having found what 

 pleases her, she buries it on the spot, carrying it down 

 by armfuls, bit by bit. There is no travelling, no cart- 

 ing, no preparation. I observe, too, that the burrow is 

 larger and better built than the temporary abodes in 

 which the Copris takes her own meals. 



Finding it difficult to observe the insect closely in its 

 wild state, I resolved to place it in my insect-house, and 

 there watch it at my ease. 



The poor creature was at first a little nervous in 

 captivity, and when she had made her burrow was very 

 cautious about entering it. By degrees, however, she 



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