144 WILD NATURE'S WAYS. 



RAT BEING BURIED BY SEXTON BEETLES. 



and although engaged in a dirty occupation 

 always keep themselves beautifully clean. 



One afternoon, a spring or two ago, I noticed 

 a dead rat lying in a field near to my home, and 

 happening to pass that way a day or two after- 

 wards, was surprised to discover that it had more 

 than half disappeared in the ground, and that 

 a small hillock of mould had been thrown up 

 near to it. Raising the carcase with my walking- 

 stick, I found a couple of great sexton beetles in the 

 grave beneath. The excavation measured five 

 inches in length, two in width, and two and a 

 half in depth. At one end the little miners had 

 made for themselves a small underground safety 

 chamber, into which they retired to rest, or for 

 safety when disturbed in their work. 



For scientific attainments, affection, and cun- 

 ning few creatures in the world of minor beings 



