CARNIVOROUS INSECTS 189 



ultimately contrive to bury it. In the end, the females 

 lay their eggs in the carrion, upon which the larvae are 

 destined to feed. It is recorded that four burying beetles 

 which were kept under observation interred four frogs, 

 three small birds, two fishes, one mole, two grasshoppers, 

 the entrails of a fish, and two pieces of ox liver — all in 

 a period of fifty days. 



Besides these true sexton beetles, hundreds of other 

 kinds are attracted to decomposing flesh ; while a whole 

 army of species luxuriate in the droppings of animals. 

 One of the latter — the so-called sacred beetle {Scarabceus 

 aacer) — is perhaps more famous than any other insect. 

 Its habit of rolling about balls of stercoraceous matter, 

 which it ultimately buries, was formerly thought to 

 be the outcome of parental instinct. Each sphere was 

 believed to contain an egg. But Fabre has watched 

 these insects in Southern France, and has found that 

 in the spring of the year they seek only to gratify their 

 own appetites, postponing maternal cares until the autumn. 

 A scarab having formed its ball, rolls it with much labour 

 to a suitable spot, where it makes a temporary burrow. 

 The ball is then pushed in, the entrance closed, and 

 the beetle settles down to a protracted feast which may 

 continue for a fortnight. When the store of food is 

 entirely exhausted, the insect comes forth to seek fresh 

 provisions, which it treats in a similar manner. One 

 scarab is sometimes joined by another individual which 

 renders assistance in rolling the ball ; but when the 

 rightful owner is engaged in excavating the burrow, the 

 false friend is apt to make off with the prize. 



In addition to these large scavenger beetles, there 

 are many smaller species which burrow into the soil 

 beneath the droppings of animals, and cany much of 

 the matter into their tunnels. In this way the whole 



