More Beetles 



So must have perished the Gold Beetles, 

 always males, whose relics I find from time 

 to time in the cage; thus the survivors too 

 must perish. Between the middle of June 

 and the first of August, the inmates, num- 

 bering twenty-five at the outset, are reduced 

 to five females. All the twenty males have 

 disappeared, ripped open and drained dry. 

 And by whom? Apparently by the females. 



This is borne out by the two assaults which 

 chance permitted me to witness; twice, in 

 broad daylight, I saw the female devour the 

 male after opening his belly under the wing- 

 cases, or at least trying to do so. As for 

 the rest of the murders, though direct obser- 

 vation be lacking, I have one very valuable 

 piece of evidence. As we have seen, the 

 captive does not retaliate, does not defend 

 himself; he merely strives to escape by pull- 

 ing as hard as he can. 



If it were a simple fight, an ordinary scuffle 

 such as life's rivalries may lead to, the Beetle 

 attacked would obviously turn round, since 

 he Is in a position to do so; in a close tussle, 

 he would retort on the aggressor and give 

 bite for bite. His strength enables him to 

 wage a battle which might turn to his advan- 

 tage; and the fool allows his rump to be 

 308 ' 



