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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 



