The Sacred Beetle and Others 



proaches, the mortar that remains is ex- 

 pended in a layer of stucco, which reinforces 

 and polishes the inner walls. 



The same dangers give rise to the 

 same defensive methods. Like the Sacred 

 Beetles', the shell of the Gymnopleuri is 

 liable to crack. The free admission of air 

 to the interior would have disastrous con- 

 sequences, by drying the food, which must 

 keep soft until the grub has attained its full 

 growth. An intestine which is never empty 

 and which displays unparalleled docility gets 

 the threatened grub out of its trouble. 

 There is no need to enlarge upon this point: 

 the Sacred Beetle has told us all about it. 



The insects reared in captivity tell me that, 

 in the Gymnopleuri, the larva lasts seven- 

 teen to twenty-five days and the nymph fifteen 

 to twenty. These figures are bound to vary, 

 but within narrow limits. I shall therefore 

 fix both periods at approximately three 

 weeks. 



Nothing remarkable happens during the 

 period nymphal. The only thing to be 

 noted is the curious costume worn by the per- 

 fect insect on its first appearance. It is the 

 costume which the Sacred Beetle showed us : 

 head, corselet, legs and chest a rusty red; 

 wing-cases and abdomen white. We may 

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