158 BEETLES 



the journey's end will be reached, though not without trouble. 

 Here is a first difficulty. The beetle has to cross a slope, and 

 the heavy ball would naturally follow the incline, but for reasons 

 best known to itself the insect prefers to cross this natural slope 

 an audacious plan, which one false step or a grain of sand to 

 upset the balance, will defeat. The false step is made, the ball 

 rolls to the bottom of the valley, and the insect, upset by the 

 impetus of its load, staggers, gets again on its legs, and hastens 

 to harness itself afresh. . . . The attempt is renewed and better 

 managed at the difficult points ; a nasty grass-root, which occa- 

 sioned the previous tumbles, is prudently turned ; We have almost 

 got to the top. But gently gently ! The ascent is perilous, 

 and a mere nothing may ruin all. A leg slips on a bit of smooth 

 gravel, and ball and scavenger roll down together. The beetle 

 begins all over again with tireless obstinacy. Ten times, twenty 

 times, will it attempt that further ascent, until persistency van- 

 quishes all obstacles, or until, better advised, it takes the level 

 road." 



Monsieur Fabre goes on to relate how two Scarabs may some- 

 times be seen pushing along the same ball of dung. At first he 

 thought that this might be an association of the two sexes, " a couple 

 about to set up house," but careful investigation showed this 

 not to be the case, the second beetle really being a thief, who, under 

 the pretence of giving a helping hand, is only awaiting a favour- 

 able chance to rob the rightful owner of his ball of dung. When 

 a suitable spot has been found, the Scarab proceeds to excavate 

 a banqueting chamber beneath the soil, which will hold himself 

 and his precious ball. Once the hole is ready, the ball is lowered 

 into it, and the beetle follows, first stopping up the mouth of the 

 entrance with fragments of earth and sand, so that no one shall 

 enter uninvited to share in the feast ; though sometimes the 

 would-be robber, who has been unable to walk off with the ball, 

 is admitted. Then the beetle settles down to enjoy the fruits 

 of its labours, and continues without intermission to feast upon 

 the ball of dung until every particle has been consumed. 



The Goliath Beetle well merits its name, for it is indeed a giant 

 amongst insects, measuring 4 or 5 inches in length, and of 

 considerable girth. It is an African insect, and specimens have 

 been collected from the coast of Guinea and of Cape Palmas, 



