The Glow- Worm and Other Beetles 



specked with chalky atoms. This is the fa- 

 vourite morsel. With their mandibles, those 

 stout pincers, they lay hold of it through the 

 froth; they tug at it, tear off a shred and re- 

 tire to a distance to swallow it at their ease. 



Meanwhile the legs, streaming with slime, 

 pick up grains of sand and become covered 

 with heavy gaiters, which are extremely 

 cumbersome but to which the Beetle pays no 

 attention. Heavy with mire, he staggers 

 back to his prey and cuts off another morsel. 

 He will think of polishing his boots presently. 

 Others do not stir, but gorge themselves on 

 the spot, with the whole fore-part of their 

 body immersed in the froth. The feast 

 lasts for hours on end. The guests do not 

 leave the joint until the distended belly lifts 

 the roof of the wing-cases and uncovers the 

 nudities of the stern. 



Fonder of shady nooks, the Procustes form 

 a separate company. They drag the Snail 

 into their lair, under the shelter of a potsherd, 

 and there, peacefully and in common, dis- 

 member the mollusc. They love the Slug, 

 as easier to cut up than the Snail, who is de- 

 fended by his shell; they regard the Testa- 

 cella,^ who bears a chalky shell, shaped like 



1 Or Shell-bearing Slug, found along the shores of the 

 Mediterranean. — Translator's Note. 

 354 



