THE SISYPHUS 139 



moved, before it is even loosened from its support. Here, 

 once more, we have an expert in geometry familiar with the 

 best form for preserving food. 



The ball is soon ready. It must now, by vigorous rolling, 

 be given the crust which will protect the soft stuff within 

 from becoming too dry. The mother, who can be recognised 

 by her slightly larger size, harnesses herself in the place of 

 honour, in front. With her long hind-legs on the ground and 

 her fore-legs on the ball, she hauls it towards her, backwards. 

 The father pushes behind in the reverse position, head down- 

 wards. It is precisely the same method as that of the Sacred 

 Beetle when working in twos, but it has another object. The 

 Sisyphus team conveys a store of food for the grubs, whereas 

 the big pill-rollers trundle a banquet which they themselves 

 will eat up underground. 



The couple start off along the ground. They have no 

 definite goal, but walk in a direct line, without regard to the 

 obstacles that lie in the way. In this backward march the 

 obstacles could not be avoided ; but even if they were seen 

 the Sisyphus would not try to go round them. For she even 

 makes obstinate attempts to climb the wire-work of my cage. 

 This is an arduous and impossible task. Clawing the meshes 

 of the gauze with her hind-legs the mother pulls the load 

 towards her ; then, putting her fore-legs round it, she holds 

 it suspended in air. The father, finding nothing to stand 

 upon, clings to the ball encrusts himself in it, so to speak, 

 thus adding his weight to that of the lump, and taking no 

 further pains. The effort is too great to last. The ball and 

 its rider, forming one mass, fall to the floor. The mother, 

 from above, looks down for a moment in surprise, and then 

 drops to recover the load and renew her impossible attempt 

 to scale the side. After repeated falls the climb is abandoned. 



Even on level ground the carting is not carried on without 

 difficulty. At every moment the load swerves on some 

 mound made by a bit of gravel ; and the team topple over and 

 kick about, upside down. This is a trifle, the merest trifle. 

 These tumbles, which so often fling the Sisyphus on his back, 



