Insect Colouring 



implies a fresh molecular structure rather 

 than a change of composition. The build- 

 ing-stone remains the same, but is arranged 

 in a different order; and the structure alters 

 in appearance. 



The Scarabaeus is now all red. The first 

 brown stains show themselves on the denticu- 

 lations of the forehead and fore-legs, the 

 sign of an earlier maturity in the implements 

 of labour, which are to acquire an excep- 

 tional hardness. The smoky tinge spreads 

 more or less all over the insect, replaces the 

 red, turns darker and finally becomes the 

 regulation black. In less than a week the 

 colourless insect turns a rusty red, next a 

 sooty brown and then an ebony black. The 

 process is completed; the insect possesses its 

 normal colouring. 



Even so do the Copres, the Gymnopleuri, 1 

 the Onites, the Onthophagi and many others 

 behave; even so must the jewel of the 

 pampas, the Splendid Phanaeus set to work. 

 With as much certainty as though I had him 

 before my eyes at the moment when he di- 

 vests himself of his nymphal swaddling- 

 bands, I see him a dull red, rusty or crimson, 

 excepting on the wing-covers and the abdo- 



1 Cf. The Sacred Beetle and Others: chap. viii. — Trans- 

 lator's Note. 



289 



