The Sacred Beetle and Others 



zeal and such an instinct for the best morsels 

 that, after a very few halts, I am rich beyond 

 my fondest hopes. Behold me the proud own- 

 er of six couples of Sisyphi, an unprecedented 

 treasure, which I was far from expecting. 



It will not be necessary to rear these in 

 the vivarium. A wire-gauze cover is 

 enough, with a bed of sand and a supply of 

 victuals to their liking. They are so small, 

 hardly the size of a cherry-stone ! And so 

 curious in shape withal! Dumpy body; the 

 hinder end pointed; and very long legs, 

 resembling a Spider's when outspread: the 

 hind-legs are of inordinate length and curved, 

 which is most useful for clasping and 

 squeezing the pellet. 



Pairing takes place about the beginning of 

 May, on the surface of the ground, amid 

 the remains of the cake on which the couple 

 have been feasting. Soon the time comes 

 for estabhshing the family. With equal zeal, 

 husband and wife alike take part in knead- 

 ing, carting and stowing away the bread for 

 the children. With the cleaver of the fore- 

 legs a morsel of the right size is cut from the 

 lump placed at their disposal. Father and 

 mother manipulate the piece together, giving 

 it little pats, pressing it and fashioning it into 

 a ball as large as a big pea. 



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