SEXTON BEETLE. 



parent, feed upon carrion, the moment they come into existence, 

 may have an abundant provision of nourishment. 



53. The measures which these insects take to obtain and keep 

 the carcasses upon which they feed, and which, as has been just 

 observed, also constitute the food of their offspring, are very 

 remarkable. No sooner is the carcass of any small dead animal 

 discovered, such as a bird, a mole, or a mouse, than the sexton- 

 beetles make their appearance around it to the number generally of 

 five or six. They first carefully inspect it on every side, apparently 



Fig. 14. The Necrophorus Hydrophilus. Fig. 15. The Marine Necrophorus. 



for the purpose of ascertaining its dimensions, its position, and the 

 nature of the ground on which it reposes. They then proceed to 

 make an excavation under it, to accomplish which some partially 

 raise the body, while others excavate the earth under the part 

 th us elevated ; the operation being performed with the fore legs. 

 By the continuance of this process, going round the body, they 

 gradually make a grave under it, into which it sinks ; and so 

 rapid is the process of excavation, that in a few hours the body is 

 deposited in a hole ten or twelve inches deep. The males 

 co-operate in this labour, and after it is accomplished, the female 

 deposits her eggs upon the carcass. 



54. Clarville * relates that he had seen one of these insects who 

 desired thus to bury a dead mouse, but finding the ground upon 

 which the carcass lay too hard to admit of excavation, it sought 

 the nearest place where the soil was sufficiently loose for that 

 purpose, and having made a grave of the necessary magnitude 

 and depth, it returned to the carcase of the mouse, which it 

 endeavoured to push towards the excavation ; but finding its 

 strength insufficient and its efforts fruitless, it flew away. After 

 some time it returned accompanied by four other beetles, who 

 assisted it in rolling the mouse to the grave prepared for it. 



* Cited by Strauss, Considerations Generates, p. 389. 



137 



