The Broad-necked Scarab 



easier object to convey, is fashioned on the 

 spot before being set in motion. With his 

 wide fore-legs the Beetle pats and kneads 

 and moulds it, making it smooth and level by 

 adding an armful here and there. The 

 perfect roundness of the ball is achieved be- 

 fore it leaves the place. 



When the requisite size has been obtained, 

 the pill-roller makes his way with his booty 

 to the spot where the burrow is to be dug. 

 The journey is affected exactly as it would 

 be by the Sacred Beetle. Head downwards, 

 hind-legs lifted against the rolling mechan- 

 ism, the insect pushes backwards. So far 

 there nothing new, save for a certain slow- 

 ness in the performance. But wait a little 

 while : soon a striking difference in habits will 

 separate the two insects. 



As each pill is carted away, I seize It, 

 together with its owner, and place both on 

 the surface of a layer of fresh, close-packed 

 sand in a flower-pot. A sheet of glass 

 serves as a lid, keeps the sand nice and 

 cool, prevents escape and admits the light. 

 By interning each Beetle separately I am 

 saved from the mistakes which might arise 

 if I put them in the common cage, where a 

 number of my boarders are at work; and I 

 shall not risk ascribing to several what may 

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