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the new-born grub must pass to reach the 

 provisions. There are none other than the 

 regulation sausage, rid of its earthy rind. 

 A few careful strokes of the rammer make 

 it occupy the available space. Lastly, a plug 

 of wet, but not dripping cotton-wool fills up 

 the cell completely. This will be a source 

 of permanent moisture, similar to that of 

 the depths in which the mother establishes 

 her family. The provisions will thus re- 

 main soft, in accordance with the youthful 

 consumer's needs. 



This softness of the food and the flavour 

 produced by the fermentation due to mois- 

 ture probably have somthing to say to the 

 instinct to bore deeply at the time of egg- 

 laying. What do the father and mother 

 really want? Do they dig to ensure their 

 own welfare]? Do they go so low down in 

 order to find an agreeable temperature and 

 moisture when the fierce summer heat pre- 

 vails? Not at all. Endowed with a robust 

 constitution and loving the sun's kisses as 

 other insects do, they both inhabit, until the 

 family is founded, a modest dwelling in a 

 convenient position. Not even the inclem- 

 encies of winter drive them to seek a better 

 shelter. 



94 



