The Burying-Beetles: The Burial 



bability, too, that a bristle of stunted bram- 

 bles may be supporting the body at some 

 inches above the soil. Slung by the labour- 

 er's spade, which has just broken his back, 

 the Mole falls here, there, anywhere, at 

 random; and where the body falls, no mat- 

 ter what the obstacles, provided that they be 

 not insurmountable, there the undertaker 

 must utilize it. 



The difficulties of inhumation are capable 

 of such variety as causes us already to fore- 

 see that the Necrophorus cannot employ fixed 

 methods in performing his task. Exposed 

 to fortuitous hazards, he must be able to 

 modify his tactics within the limits of his 

 modest discernment. To saw, to break, to 

 disentangle, to lift, to shake, to displace: 

 these are so many means which are indis- 

 pensable to the grave-digger in a predica- 

 ment. Deprived of these resources, reduced 

 to uniformity of procedure, the insect would 

 be incapable of pursuing its calling. 



We see at once how imprudent it would 

 be to draw conclusions from an isolated case 

 in which rational co-ordination or premedi- 

 tated intention might appear to play its part. 

 Every instinctive action no doubt has its 

 motive ; but does the animal in the first place 

 judge whether the action is opportune ? Let 

 305 



