The Greenbottles 



cess is the fold formed by the edge of the 

 belly. It is here and here alone that this 

 day's mothers are laying. There are eight 

 of them. After exploring the piece and 

 recognizing its good quality, they disappear 

 under the arch, first this one, then that, or 

 else several at a time. They remain under 

 the Mole for a considerable while. Those 

 outside wait, but go repeatedly to the thresh- 

 old of the cavern to take a look at what is 

 happening within and see whether the earlier 

 ones have finished. These come out at last, 

 perch on the animal and wait in their turn. 

 Others at once take their place in the recesses 

 of the cave. They remain there for some 

 time and then, having done their business, 

 make room for more mothers and come forth 

 into the sunlight. This going in and out con- 

 tinues throughout the morning. 



We thus learn that the laying is effected 

 by periodical emissions, broken with intervals 

 of rest. As long as she does not feel ripe 

 eggs coming to her oviduct, the Greenbottle 

 remains in the sun, hovering to and fro and 

 sipping modest mouthfuls from the carcass. 

 But, as soon as a fresh stream descends from 

 her ovaries, quick as lightning she makes for 

 a propitious site whereon to deposit her bur- 



221 



