The Cetoniae 



by means of its mortar. Thus it obtains an 

 egg-shaped cavity which it reinforces at 

 leisure with fresh layers of plaster, until its 

 excremental reserves are exhausted. Every- 

 thing that is reached by the trickling of 

 the cement sets like concrete and henceforth 

 forms part of the wall, without any further 

 intervention by the builder. 



To follow the grub through the whole 

 course of its labours is impracticable: it 

 works under a roof, protected from our 

 indiscretion. But we can at least surprise 

 the essential secret of its method. I select 

 a cocoon whose softness indicates that the 

 work is not yet completed. I make a mod- 

 erate hole in it. If it were too wide, the 

 breach would discourage the occupant and 

 would make it impossible for the grub to 

 repair its shattered roof, not for lack of 

 materials, but for want of support. 



Let us make a cautious incision with the 

 point of a penknife and look. The grub is 

 rolled into a hook which is almost closed. 

 Feeling uneasy, it puts its head to the sky- 

 light which I have opened and investigates 

 what has happened. The accident is soon 

 perceived. Thereupon the hook closes en- 

 tirely, the opposite poles of the grub come 

 31 



