More Beetles 



particles of which the shell is constructed 

 abound here rather than elsewhere; and the 

 Carabus seems to like this mineral condiment. 

 In the same way, the favourite morsel in the 

 Snail is the mantle, speckled with chalky dots. 

 Easily caught and highly appreciated in fla- 

 vour, the Slug, crawling at night towards 

 the tender lettuces, must often provide the 

 Gold Beetles with a meal. Together with 

 the caterpillar, he appears to be the Beetle's 

 usual fare. 



We must add the Earthworm, Lumbricus 

 terrestris, often found outside its burrow in 

 rainy weather. Even the biggest do not in- 

 timidate the aggressor. I dish up an Earth- 

 worm eight inches long and as thick as my 

 little finger. The enormous annelid is at- 

 tacked as soon as seen : six Carabi come has- 

 tening up together. As its only means of 

 defence, the victim writhes forwards and 

 backwards, wriggling and rolling upon itself. 

 The monstrous worm drags with it, now on 

 top and now below, the stubborn carvers, 

 who do not let go and work alternately in 

 their normal position or with upturned bel- 

 lies. Constantly rolling and pitching, bury- 

 ing itself in the sand and reappearing, it does 

 not succeed in discouraging them. It would 

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