The Sacred Beetle and Others 



problem in animal psychology and I go back 

 to the two partners rolling their ball in con- 

 cert. 



But first let me dispel a current error in the 

 text-books. I find in M. Emile Blanchard's ^ 

 magnificent work, Metamorphoses, mceiirs 

 et instincts des insectes, the following pas- 

 sage: ' 



" Sometimes our insect is stopped by an in- 

 surmountable obstacle; the ball has fallen 

 into a hole. At such moments the Ateuchus ^ 

 gives evidence of a really astonishing grasp 

 of the situation as well as of a system of 

 ready communication between individuals of 

 the same species which is even more remark- 

 able. Recognizing the impossibility of coax- 

 ing the ball out of the hole, the Ateuchus 

 seems to abandon it and flies away. If you 

 are sufficiently endowed with that great and 

 noble virtue called patience, stay by the for- 

 saken ball: after a while, the Ateuchus will 

 return to the same spot and will not return 

 alone; he will be accompanied by two, three, 

 four or five companions, who will all alight 

 at the place indicated and will combine their 



1 fimile Blanchard (b. 1819), a French naturalist, best 

 known by his works on entomology. — Translator's Note. 



'The Scarabaei also bear the name of Ateuchus. — AU' 

 thor's Note. 



18 



