The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles 



cowardly posture ; the timid dwarf should be 

 quick to have recourse to it. And it is just 

 the other way about. What is there behind 

 all this? 



Let us try the influence of danger. With 

 what natural enemy shall I confront the big 

 Scarites, motionless on his back? I know 

 none. Let us then create a make-believe as- 

 sailant. The Flies put me on the track of 

 one. 



I have spoken of their importunity during 

 my investigations in the hot season. If I 

 do not employ a bell-glass or keep an assi- 

 duous watch, rarely does the shrewish Dip- 

 tcron fail to alight upon my patient and ex- 

 plore him with her proboscis. We will let 

 her have her way this time. 



Hardly has the Fly grazed this apparent 

 corpse with her legs, when the Scarites' 

 tarsi quiver as though twitched by a slight 

 electric shock. If the visitor be merely pass- 

 ing, matters go no farther; but, if she per- 

 sist, particularly near the Beetle's mouth, 

 moist with saliva and disgorged secretions 

 of food, the tormented Scarites promptly 

 kicks, turns over and makes off. 



Perhaps he did not think it opportune to 

 prolong his fraud in the face of so contempti- 

 ble an enemy. He resumes his activity be- 

 378 



