The Glow- Worm and Other Beetles 



seeds push and sway; If one of them moves 

 the least bit, the shells all clash together. 

 Others wander about, in search of a good 

 place, staggering and tumbling under the 

 weight of the overcoat; they wander at ran- 

 dom through that great and spacious world, 

 the bottom of my cup. 



Not a fortnight has elapsed before a strip, 

 built up on the rim, has doubled the length 

 of the Long-legged Clythra's shell, in order 

 to maintain the capacity of the earthenware 

 jar in proportion to the size of the grub, 

 which has been growing from day to day. 

 The recent portion, the work of the larva, 

 is very plainly distinguishable from the ori- 

 ginal shell, the product of the mother; it is 

 smooth over its whole extent, whereas the 

 rest is ornamented with tiny holes arranged 

 in spiral rows. 



Planed away Inside as it becomes too tight, 

 the jar grows wider and at the same time 

 longer. The dust taken from it, once more 

 kneaded Into mortar. Is reapplied outside, 

 more or less everywhere, and forms a rubble 

 under which the original beauties end by dis- 

 appearing. The neatly-pitted masterpiece is 

 swamped by a layer of brown plasterwork; 

 not always entirely, however, even when the 

 structure reaches Its final dimensions. If we 

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