More Beetles 



others, a dozen in number, distributed 

 around the mouth of the shaft. There are, 

 as I say, precisely twelve, arranged in groups 

 of three, which will make it easier and 

 quicker for me to count them daily through 

 the haze covering the bell. A moderate wa- 

 tering, effected from time to time on the bor- 

 der of soil which surrounds the bell and 

 keeps it in position, produces a humid atmo- 

 sphere inside the apparatus similar to that 

 of the depths favoured by the Minotaur. 

 This element of success should not be 

 omitted. Lastly, I keep a current account 

 in which I enter day by day the pieces stored 

 away. There were twelve at the beginning. 

 If these are exhausted, we shall replace them 

 as often as may be necessary. 



I have not to wait long for the results of 

 my preparations. That same evening, 

 watching from a distance, I catch sight of the 

 father leaving his home. He makes for the 

 pellets, chooses one that suits him and, with 

 little taps of his head, rolls it as he might 

 roll a barVel. I steal up softly to observe 

 the action. Forthwith the Beetle, timid to 

 excess, abandons his morsel and dives down 

 the shaft. The distrustful fellow has seen 

 me; he has perceived some enormous and 

 116 



