The Sacred Beetle: the Larva 



not from economy of labour and time, but 

 because, to their mind, the smooth round 

 wall is a thing of their own making. In 

 this way there is reserved, on the sides of 

 the cupola, a large glazed window which 

 answers my purpose admirably. 



Well, the grubs which, all day long and 

 for weeks on end, receive the bright light 

 of my study through this window of mine 

 keep as quiet as the others, eating and 

 digesting, and never trouble to shut out any 

 unwelcome rays with a blind made of their 

 putty. We may take it therefore that, when 

 the larva so eagerly closes the breach which 

 I have made in its chamber, its object is not 

 to protect itself from the light. 



Does it fear draughts then, when It 

 scrupulously fills up the least cranny through 

 which the air might enter? This again is not 

 the solution. The temperature is the same 

 in my room and in the grub's; besides, when 

 I perpetrate my burglaries, the atmosphere 

 in my study is absolutely still. I do not 

 examine the prisoner In a gale, but in the 

 calm of my workroom, in the even pro- 

 founder calm of a glass jar. 



There can be no question of a cold breeze, 

 which would be painful to a very sensitive 

 skin; and nevertheless the air Is the enemy 

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