The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles 



mixture as required and then spreads it art- 

 istically in a thin strip on the edge of the 

 sheath. 



The legs take no part in the job. Only 

 the mandibles and the palpi work, acting as 

 tub, trowel, beater and roller in one. 



Once more the grub backs into its shell: 

 once more it returns, bringing a second clod, 

 which is prepared and used in the same man- 

 ner. Five or six times over, it repeats the 

 process, until the whole circumference of the 

 mouth has been increased by the addition of 

 a rim. 



The potter's compound, as we have seen, 

 consists of two ingredients. One of these, 

 the first earth that comes to hand, is collected 

 on the threshold of the workshop; the other 

 is fetched from inside the pot, for, each time 

 that the grub returns, I see it carrying a 

 brown pellet in its teeth. What does it keep 

 in the back-shop? Though we can scarcely 

 find out by direct observation, we can at least 

 guess. 



Observe that the jar is absolutely closed 

 behind, without the smallest waste-pipe by 

 which the physiological needs from which the 

 grub is certainly not immune can be relieved. 

 The grub is boxed in and never stirs out of 

 doors. What becomes of its excretions? 



454 



