The Glow- Worm and Other Beetles 



through the partition that separates the two 

 stories. 



We have here, in short, the edifice of the 

 Gromphas, in a different style of architecture. 

 The grub is born in a casket surmounting the 

 stack of food but not communicating with it. 

 The budding larva must therefore, at the 

 opportune moment, itself pierce the covering 

 of the pot of preserves. As a matter of fact, 

 later, when the grub is on the sausage-meat, 

 we find the floor perforated with a hole just 

 large enough for it to pass through. 



Wrapped all round in a thick casing of 

 pottery, the meat keeps fresh as long as is 

 required by the duration of the hatching- 

 process, a detail which I have not ascer- 

 tained; in its cell, which is also of clay, the 

 egg lies safe. Capital; so far, all is well. 

 Phanaeus Milon is thoroughly acquainted 

 with the secrets of fortification and the 

 danger of victuals evaporating too soon. 

 There remain the germ's respiratory require- 

 ments. 



To satisfy these, the insect has been 

 equally well-inspired. The neck of the cala- 

 bash is pierced, in the direction of its axis, 

 with a tiny channel which would admit at 

 most the slenderest of straws. Inside, this 

 conduit opens at the top of the dome of the 

 256 



