The Sacred Beetle and Others 



time in the winter of 1895, provided me with 

 a striking instance. A few species — 

 Scarabaei, Copres, Pilularii and Onthopliagi 

 — were represented at the same time by new- 

 comers and old stagers. All the Geotrupes, 

 without an exception, died in the earthy bed 

 which had turned into a block of stone; the 

 Minotaurs also succumbed, every one of 

 them. And yet both find their way up north 

 and are not afraid of cold climates. On the 

 other hand, the southern species, the Sacred 

 Beetle, the Spanish Copris and Pilularius 

 flageUatus, the younger generation as well as 

 the veterans, withstood the winter better than 

 I dared hope. Many of them died, it is 

 true; they formed the majority; but at any 

 rate there were survivors whom I marvelled 

 to see recovering from their icy paralysis, 

 trotting about under the first kisses of the 

 sun. In April, those specimens which have 

 escaped from freezing resume their labours. 

 They teach me that, when at liberty, Copres 

 and Scarabaei have no need to retire to 

 winter quarters at great depths underground. 

 A moderate screen of earth, in some shel- 

 tered nook, is enough for them. Less skilful 

 diggers than the Geotrupes, they are better- 

 provided with the power to resist a passing 

 spell of cold. 



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