The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles 



creature employs another method. It crooks 

 its belly and, when the two spikes of the 

 eighth segment, now fully outspread, have 

 found a firm support by ploughing, so to 

 speak, the surface of locomotion, it bears 

 upon that base and pushes forward by ex- 

 panding the various abdominal articulations. 

 This forward movement is also assisted by 

 the action of the legs, which are far from 

 remaining inactive. This done, it casts an- 

 chor with the powerful claws of its feet; the 

 abdomen contracts; the various segments 

 draw together; and the anus, pulled forward, 

 obtains a fresh purchase, with the aid of the 

 two spikes, before beginning the second of 

 these curious strides. 



During these manoeuvres, the cirri of the 

 flanks and thighs drag along the supporting 

 surface and by their length and elasticity ap- 

 pear fitted only to impede progress. But let 

 us not be in a hurry to conclude that we have 

 discovered an inconsistency: the least of 

 creatures is adapted to the conditions amid 

 which it has to live; there is reason to be- 

 lieve that these filaments, far from hamper- 

 ing the pigmy's progress, must, in normal 

 circumstances, be of some assistance to it. 



Even the little that we have just learnt 

 shows us that the young Sitaris-larva is not 

 50 



