The Geotrupes: the Public Health 



themselves such activity as prevails during 

 the torrid days. 



May not this greater frequency of the 

 Dung-beetles, at least in my part of the 

 world, be due to the longevity of the adult 

 form? I think so. Whereas the other in- 

 sects are summoned to enjoy the fine weather 

 only in successive generations, these receive a 

 general invitation, father and sons together, 

 daughters and mother together. Being 

 equally prolific, they are therefore repre- 

 sented twice over. 



And they really deserve It, in consideration 

 of the services which they render. There 

 is a general hygienic law which requires that 

 every putrid thing shall disappear in the 

 shortest possible time. Paris has not yet 

 solved the formidable problem of her 

 sewage, which sooner or later will become a 

 question of life or death for the monstrous 

 city. One asks one's self whether the centre 

 of light Is not doomed to be extinguished 

 some day In the reeking exhalations of a soil 

 saturated with putrescence. What this ag- 

 glomeration of millions of men cannot ob- 

 tain, with all Its treasures of wealth and 

 talent, the smallest hamlet possesses without 

 going to any expense or even troubling to 

 think about It. 



275 



