152 



THE UNIVERSE. 



thought at first that these little cocoons which envelop the 

 caterpillar were only the offspring carefully preserved from 

 cold by maternal foresight. It was reserved for the father 

 of microscopy and for one of the most celebrated observers 

 of Italy, Leuwenhoeck and Vallisneri, to shed a flood of 

 light upon this curious fact and establish the truth. 



79. Dung-Beetles, or Sacred Scarabaei (Ateuchus sacer), making their Balls. 



The sacred dung-beetle, which played so important a part 

 in the theogony of the banks of the Nile, also executes 

 most arduous tasks in order to protect its offspring. This 

 beetle only bestows its care upon one egg at a time, but 

 this care is incessant. So soon as it has laid it, the Scara- 

 bseus makes its way to tl|e dung of some herbivorous mam- 



