More Beetles 



Dung-beetle thrives on rotten leaves; shall I 

 be equally successful in rearing an eater of 

 vegetable refuse on dung? From the heap 

 of dead leaves accumulated in a corner of the 

 garden for mould, I obtain a dozen half- 

 grown larvae of the Golden Cetonia. I in- 

 stall them in a glass jar, with no other food 

 than Mule-droppings which have acquired 

 the proper consistency by a few days' ex- 

 posure to the air on the high-road. The 

 stercoral ration is welcomed by the future 

 rose-dweller. I cannot see any signs of hesi- 

 tation or repugnance. When half-dry, the 

 Mule's fibrous scraps are consumed as readily 

 as the leaves brown with decay. A second 

 jar contains larvae fed in the normal fashion. 

 There is no difference between the two 

 groups in the matter of appetite and healthy 

 looks. In both cases the metamorphosis is 

 properly accomplished. 



This double success gives food for thought. 

 Certainly the Cetonia-grub would have noth- 

 ing to gain if it thought fit to abandon its 

 heap of dead leaves in order to exploit the 

 Mule-droppings in the road; it would be 

 leaving inexhaustible abundance, pleasant 

 moisture and perfect security in exchange for 

 a scanty, perilous diet, trampled underfoot 



