The Sacred Beetle 



But let me end this digression, which is 

 excused by the importance of the subject. I 

 was saying that a Sacred Beetle, in possession 

 of a ball which he is pushing backwards, is 

 often joined by another, who comes hurrying 

 up to lend an assistance which is anything but 

 disinterested, his intention being to rob his 

 companion if the opportunity present itself. 

 Let us call the two workers partners, 

 though that is not the proper name for 

 them, seeing that the one forces himself upon 

 the other, who probably accepts outside help 

 only for fear of a worse evil. The meeting, 

 by the way, is absolutely peaceful. The 

 owner of the ball does not cease work for 

 an instant on the arrival of the newcomer; 

 and his uninvited assistant seems animated by 

 the best intentions and sets to work on the 

 spot. The way in which the two partners 

 harness themselves differs. The proprietor 

 occupies the chief position, the place of 

 honour: he pushes at the rear, with his hind- 

 legs in the air and his head down. His sub- 

 ordinate is in front, in the reverse posture, 

 head up, toothed arms on the ball, long hind- 

 legs on the ground. Between the two, the 

 ball rolls along, one driving it before him, 

 the other pulling It towards him. 



The efforts of the couple are not always 

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