The Glow- Worm arid Other Beetles 



periments emphatically declare, the fall of 

 the stake undermined by the sextons is a pure 

 matter of imagination. 



Yet another of the fine arguments in fa- 

 vour of the reasoning-power of insects flies 

 from the light of investigation and founders 

 in the slough of error! I wonder at your 

 simple faith, O masters who take seriously 

 the statements of chance-met observers, 

 richer in imagination than in veracity; I won- 

 der at your credulous zeal, when, without 

 criticism, you build up your theories on such 

 absurdities ! 



Let us continue. The stake is henceforth 

 planted perpendicularly, but the body hang- 

 ing on it does not reach the base : a condition 

 enough to ensure that there will never be 

 any digging at this point. I make use of 

 a Mouse, who, by reason of her light weight, 

 will lend herself better to the insect's ma- 

 noeuvres. The dead animal is fixed by the 

 hind-legs to the top of the apparatus with a 

 raffia strap. It hangs plumb, touching the 

 stick. 



Soon two Necrophori have discovered the 

 morsel. They climb the greased pole; they 

 explore the prize, poking their foreheads into 

 its fur. It is recognized as an excellent find. 

 To work, therefore. Here we have again, 

 338 



