The Geotrupes: the Public Health 



thou shalt dig round about and with the earth 

 that is dug up thou shalt cover that which 

 thou art eased of." {Deut., XXIIL, xii.-xiv.) 



The simple precept touches a matter of 

 grave concern; and we may well believe that, 

 if Islam, at the time of its great pilgrimages 

 to the Kaaba, were to take the same precau- 

 tion and a few more of a similar character, 

 Mecca would cease to be an annual seat of 

 cholera and Europe would not need to mount 

 guard on the shores of the Red Sea to protect 

 herself against the scourge. 



Heedless of hygiene as the Arab, who was 

 one of his ancestors, the Provencal peasant 

 does not suspect the danger. Fortunately, 

 the Dung-beetle, that faithful observer of the 

 Mosaic law is at work. It is his to remove 

 from sight, it is his to bury the microbe-laden 

 matter. Supplied with digging-implements 

 far superior to the paddle which the Israelite 

 was to carry at his girdle when urgent busi- 

 ness called him from the camp, he hastens 

 to the spot and, as soon as man is gone, 

 excavates a pit wherein the infection is swal- 

 lowed up and rendered harmless. 



The services rendered by these sextons are 

 of the highest importance to the health of the 

 fields; yet we, who are those most Interested 



279 



