CHAPTER XII 



THE SISYPHUS BEETLE. — THE INSTINCT OF PATERNITY 



The duties of paternity are seldom imposed on any 

 but the higher animals. They are most notable in the 

 bird ; and the furry peoples acquit themselves honour- 

 ably. Lower in the scale we find in the father a 

 general indifference as to the fate of the family. Very 

 few insects form exceptions to this rule. Although all 

 are imbued with a mating instinct that is almost 

 frenzied, nearly all, when the passion of the moment 

 is appeased, terminate then and there their domestic 

 relations, and withdraw, indifferent to the brood, which 

 has to look after itself as best it may. 



This paternal coldness, which would be odious in 

 the higher walks of animal life, where the weakness of 

 the young demands prolonged assistance, has in the 

 insect world the excuse that the new-born young are 

 comparatively robust, and are able, without help, to 

 fill their mouths and stomachs, provided they find 

 themselves in propitious surroundings. All that the 

 prosperity of the race demands of the Pierides, or 

 Cabbage Butterflies, is that they should deposit their 

 eggs on the leaves of the cabbage ; what purpose 

 would be served by the instincts of a father ? The 



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