144 SOCIAL LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD 



Even on level ground the task is not without its diffi- 

 culties. At every moment the load swerves on the 

 summit of a pebble, a fragment of gravel ; the team 

 are overturned, and lie on their backs, kicking their 

 legs in the air. This is a mere nothing. They pick 

 themselves up and resume their positions, always quick 

 and lively. The accidents which so often throw them 

 on their backs seem to cause them no concern ; one 

 would even think they were invited. The pilule has 

 to be matured, given a proper consistency. In these 

 conditions falls, shocks, blows, and jolts might well 

 enter into the programme. This mad trundling lasts 

 for hours and hours. 



Finally, the mother, considering that the matter has 

 been brought to a satisfactory conclusion, departs in 

 search of a favourable place for storage. The father, 

 crouched upon the treasure, waits. If the absence of 

 his companion is prolonged he amuses himself by 

 rapidly whirling the pill between his hind legs, which 

 are raised in the air. He juggles with the precious 

 burden ; he tests its perfections between his curved legs, 

 calliper- wise. Seeing him frisking in this joyful occupa- 

 tion, who can doubt that he experiences all the satis- 

 factions of a father assured of the future of his family ? 

 It is I, he seems to say, it is I who have made this loaf, 

 so beautifully round ; it is I who have made the hard 

 crust to preserve the soft dough ; it is I who have baked 

 it for my sons ! And he raises on high, in the sight of 

 all, this magnificent testimonial of his labours. 



But now the mother has chosen the site. A shallow 

 pit is made, the mere commencement of the projected 

 burrow The ball is pushed and pulled until it is close 



