The Crioceres 



Tachina, of making the stercoral slit open 

 above. By accident, with no definite pur- 

 pose in view, it emptied the contents of its 

 intestine over its back. The natty Fly hesi- 

 tated in the presence of this filth. The grub, 

 in its cunning, recognized, as time went on, 

 the benefit to be derived from its poultice; 

 and what at first was an unpremeditated pol- 

 lution became a prudent custom. 



As success followed upon success, with the 

 aid of the centuries, of course, for these in- 

 ventions always take centuries, the dung over- 

 coat was extended from the hinder end to 

 the fore-part, right down to the forehead. 

 Finding itself the gainer by this invention, 

 setting the parasite at defiance under its co- 

 verlet, the grub made a strict law of what 

 was an accident; and the Crioceris faithfully 

 handed down the repulsive great-coat to her 

 offspring. 



So far this is not so bad. But things now 

 begin to become complicated. If the insect 

 was really the inventor of its defensive me- 

 thods, if it discovered for itself the advantage 

 of hiding under its ordure, I look to its in- 

 genuity to keep up the tricks until the precise 

 moment has come for burying itself. But, 

 on the contrary, it undresses itself some time 

 beforehand; it wanders about naked, taking 



435 



