93 



Now, what beeomes of Geotrupes stercorarius' egg ? I have observed its 

 disappearance in all stages. First, it becomes flaccid, and finally disappears. 

 I have several times seen Porcus' nose applied to it, as if discussing its con- 

 tents, and if it were merely injured, and the contents allowed to soak away, 

 I believe it woidd not so completely disappear, and that the moisture of its 

 soaking away would be noticeable. My observations make me \\'ithout hesita- 

 tion declare that the egg of the Geotrupes, a mass as large as herseK, is eaten 

 by Aphodius porous. I have, on the following summer, found the Porcus 

 raised from the eggs disposed as I have described. In August the perfect 

 beetles may be found in smooth, earthen cavities, having newly assumed the 

 perfect state. The great mass of the material stored by Stercorarius is then 

 in a pulverulent condition, and seems to have been beyond the requirements 

 of the smaller insects, and has simply decayed. 



