THE SISYPHUS 



tain, the meadows where the flocks have been. Here 

 we find the Sisyphus. Paul is so zealous in his search 

 that we soon have a sufficient number of couples. 



All that is needed for their well-being is a wire-gauze 

 cover, with a bed of sand and a supply of their food — 

 to obtain which we too turn scavengers. These creatures 

 are so small, hardly the size of a cherry-stone I And so 

 curious in shape withal! A dumpy body, the hinder 

 end of which is pointed, and very long legs, resembling 

 a Spider's when outspread. The hind-legs are of amaz- 

 ing length, and are curved, which is most useful for 

 clasping and squeezing the pellet. 



Soon the time comes for establishing the family. 

 With equal zeal father and mother alike take part in 

 kneading, carting, and stowing away the provisions for 

 the young ones. With the cleaver of the fore-legs a 

 morsel of the right size is cut from the food placed at 

 their disposal. The two insects work at the piece to- 

 gether, giving it little pats, pressing it, and shaping it 

 into a ball as large as a big pea. 



As in the Sacred Beetle's workshop, the accurately 

 round shape is obtained without the mechanical trick 

 of rolling the ball. The material is modelled into a 

 sphere before it is moved, before it is even loosened from 

 its support. Here, once more, we have an expert in 

 geometry familiar with the best form for preserving 

 food. 



[203] 



