The Sacred Beetle and Others 



the lower stratum and bury their spoil with- 

 out delay in the ground just below; others 

 again, the smallest, keep on one side and 

 crumble a morsel that has slipped their way 

 during the mighty excavations of their more 

 powerful fellows. Some, newcomers and 

 doubtles the hungriest, consume their meal on 

 the spot; but the greater number dream of 

 accumulating stocks that will allow them to 

 spend long days in affluence, down in some 

 safe retreat. A nice, fresh patch of dung 

 is not found just when you want it, in the 

 barren plains overgrown with thyme ; a wind- 

 fall of this sort is as manna from the sky; 

 only fortune's favourites receive so fair a 

 portion. Wherefore the riches of to-day 

 are prudently hoarded for the morrow. 

 The stercoraceous scent has carried the glad 

 tidings half a mile around; and all have 

 hastened up to get a store of provisions. A 

 few laggards are still arriving, on the wing 

 or on foot. 



Who is this that comes trotting towards 

 the heap, fearing lest he reach it too late? 

 His long legs move with awkward jerks, as 

 though driven by some mechanism within 

 his belly; his little red antennae unfurl their 

 fan, a sign of anxious greed. He is coming, 

 he has come, not without sending a few 



6 



I 



