FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



the egg allows to escape. For several days it continues 

 to rip the envelope gradually open, and to feed on the 

 liquid that trickles from it. Meanwhile it never touches 

 the honey that surrounds it. The Bee's egg is abso- 

 lutely necessary to the Sitaris-grub, not merely as a 

 boat, but also as nourishment. 



At the end of a week the egg is nothing but a dry 

 skin. The first meal is finished. The Sitaris-grub, 

 which is now twice as large as before, splits open along 

 the back, and through this slit the second form of this 

 singular Beetle falls on the surface of the honey. Its 

 cast skin remains on the raft, and will presently dis- 

 appear with it beneath the waves of honey. 



Here ends the history of the first form adopted by the 

 Sitaris. 



[174] 



