More Beetles 



The male carries on his corselet two broad, 

 triangular, glistening facets. These con- 

 stitute his blazon and serve no other purpose 

 than that of masculine adornment. 



I have tried to observe by lantern-light — 

 for the insect is nocturnal in its habits — the 

 nuptial charms of the blazoned Beetle of the 

 pines in his native surroundings. My son 

 Paul went all over the ravaged plantation, 

 lantern in hand, between ten and eleven at 

 night; he explored the old stumps one by one. 

 The expedition led to nothing; no Ergates 

 was seen, of either sex. We need not regret 

 this failure : by rearing the insects in the 

 cages we learn the most interesting details of 

 the business. 



I take the Beetles born in my study and 

 install them, in isolated couples, under spa- 

 cious wire-gauze dish-covers placed over 

 stacks of refuse from the decayed pine- 

 stumps. By way of food, I serve them with 

 pears cut into quarters, small bunches of 

 grapes and slices of melon, all favourite 

 dainties of the Great Capricorn. 



The captives rarely show themselves by 

 day; they remain concealed under the heap 

 of chips. They come out at night and sol- 

 emnly stroll to and fro, now on the wire 

 i88 



