38 THE LIFE AND LOVE OF THE INSECT 



its work so long as the egg is not deposited, will dig 

 itself a new burrow, dragging its ball with it as it goes ; 

 it will pass through the upper layer of earth, which 

 is not sufficiently thick ; it will come upon the deal board, 

 an obstacle similar to the broken stones that often bar 

 its passage in the course of its normal excavations ; it will 

 investigate the cause of the impediment and, finding 

 the opening, will descend through this trap-door to the 

 lower compartment, which, being free and roomy, will 

 represent to the insect the crypt whence I have just 

 removed it. Thus prophesies my foresight. But all 

 this takes time ; and I must wait for the morrow to 

 satisfy my impatient curiosity. 



The hour has come : let us go and see. The study- 

 door was left open yesterday : the mere sound of the 

 door-handle might stop my distrustful worker. By way 

 of greater precaution, before entering, I put on silent 



slippers. And whoosh ! The cylinder is removed. 



Capital ! My expectations are fully justified. 



The Scarab occupies the glazed workshop. I catch 

 her at work, with her broad foot laid on the rough 

 sketch of the pear. But, startled by the sudden light, 

 she remains motionless, as though petrified. This lasts 

 a few seconds. Then she turns her back upon me and 

 awkwardly ascends the inclined plane, to reach the 

 darkling heights of her gallery. I give a glance at the 

 work, take note of its shape, its position and its aspect, 

 and restore darkness with the cardboard sheath. Let 

 us not prolong the indiscretion, if we would renew the 

 test. 



My sudden, brief visit gives us a first insight into the 

 mysterious work. The ball, at first exactly spherical, 

 now has a stout pad circumscribing a sort of shallow 



