The Geotrupes: the Larva 



studies disappears and is replaced by a grub 

 whose motions are more moderate. 



Obviously, big eater as the larva is and, 

 moreover, sequestered in a cell allowing of 

 no communication with the outside, it is ut- 

 terly ignorant of what we call cleanliness. 

 Let us not take this to mean that it is dis- 

 gustingly filthy, soiled with excrement: we 

 should be making a grave mistake. Nothing 

 could be neater or glossier than its satiny 

 skin. We wonder what pains it must take 

 over its toilet, or else what special grace 

 enables all these eaters of ordure to keep 

 themselves so clean. Seeing them outside 

 their usual environment, no one would su- 

 spect their sordid hfe. 



We must look elsewhere for any defect in 

 cleanliness, if indeed it is right to give the 

 name of defect to a quality which, all things 

 considered, makes for the creature's good. 

 Language, the one and only mirror of our 

 thoughts, easily goes astray and becomes 

 treacherous when endeavouring to express 

 reality. Let us substitute the larva's point 

 of view for our own, let us throw off the man 

 and become the Dung-beetle: offensive epi- 

 thets will disappear forthwith. 



The grub, that mighty eater, has no rela- 

 tions with the outside world. What is it to 



319 



