THE SISYPHUS 



follows for some time to come can only be a repetition of 

 what has already been done. We must wait half a day 

 or so. 



If we keep careful watch we shall see the father come 

 up again to the surface by himself, and crouch in the 

 sand near the burrow. Detained below by duties in 

 which her companion can be of no assistance to her, the 

 mother usually postpones her appearance till the 

 morrow. At last she shows herself. The father leaves 

 the place where he was snoozing, and joins her. The re- 

 united couple go back to the spot where their food-stuffs 

 are to be found, and having refreshed themselves they 

 gather up more materials. The two then set to work 

 again. Once more they model, cart, and store the ball 

 together. 



I am delighted with this constancy. That it is really 

 the rule I dare not declare. There must, no doubt, be 

 flighty, fickle Beetles. No matter : the little I have seen 

 gives me a high opinion of the domestic habits of the 

 Sisyphus. 



It is time to inspect the burrow. At no great depth we 

 find a tiny niche, just large enough to allow the mother 

 to move round her work. The smallness of the chamber 

 tells us that the father cannot remain there for long. 

 When the studio is ready, he must go away to leave the 

 sculptress room to turn. 



The contents of the cellar consist of a single ball, a 



[207] 



