The Sacred Beetle and Others 



though bread were lacking. Poverty has 

 nothing to do with it, for very often the thief 

 abandons his booty after rolling it for a few 

 seconds. They steal for the pleasure of 

 stealing. As La Fontaine ^ well says, there is 



. . . double profit a faire: 

 Son hien premierement; et puis le mal 

 d'autruir ' 



In view of this propensity for thieving, 

 what is the best thing that a Scarab can do 

 when he has conscientiously made his ball? 

 Obviously, to shun his fellows, to leave the 

 premises and get away to a distant spot 

 where he can consume his provisions in the 

 depths of some hiding-place. This is what 

 he does; and he loses no time in doing it: he 

 knows his kinsmen too well. 



Here we see the necessity for an easy 

 method of conveyance, so that sufficient 

 provisions may be carted in a single journey 

 and as swiftly as possible. The Sacred 

 Beetle likes working in the bright light, in 

 the sunshine. His profits therefore, made 

 In full view of everybody, are no secret to 



1 Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695), author of the famous 

 Tables. — Translator's Note. 



2 ". . . a double chance of gain: 

 First, one's own profit; next, another's loss." 



72 



