The Burylng-Beetles: The Burial 



the way of industry. When it has fattened 

 to the desired extent, it leaves the charnel- 

 house of the natal crypt and descends into 

 the earth, far from the putrefaction. Here, 

 working with its legs and its dorsal armour, 

 it presses back the sand around it and makes 

 itself a close cabin wherein to rest for the 

 metamorphosis. When the lodge is ready 

 and the torpor of the approaching moult ar- 

 rives, it lies inert; but, at the least alarm, 

 it comes to life and turns round on its axis. 



Even so do several nymphs spin round 

 and round when disturbed, notably that of 

 /Egasomus scabricornis which I have now 

 before my eyes in July. It is always a fresh 

 surprise to see these mummies suddenly 

 throw off their immobility and gyrate on their 

 own axis with a mechanism whose secret de- 

 serves to be fathomed. The science of ra- 

 tional mechanics might find something here 

 to whet its finest theories upon. The 

 strength and litheness of a clown cannot com- 

 pare with those of this budding flesh, this 

 hardly coagulated glair. 



Once isolated in its cell, the larva of the 

 Necrophorus becomes a nymph in ten days 

 or so. I lack the evidence furnished by di- 

 rect observation, but the story is completed 

 of itself. The Necrophorus must assume 

 317 



