The Sacred Beetle and Others 



languid. Five or six weeks are thus passed 

 in banqueting; then comes the cold weather, 

 bringing the winter torpor with it. The grub 

 now digs itself an oval recess, polished by 

 much wriggling of its body, at the lower end 

 of its case, in the mass of material which di- 

 gestion has transformed into a fine paste; it 

 protects itself wi'th a curved canopy; and it is 

 ready to enjoy its winter slumbers. It can 

 sleep in peace. If its parents have installed 

 it underground at an inconsiderable depth to 

 which the frost pentrates, at any rate they 

 have increased the supply of victuals to the 

 utmost. The effect of this enormous super- 

 fluity is to provide an excellent dwelling for 

 the bad weather. 



In December, the grub is full-grown, or not 

 far short of it. If the temperature only lent 

 a hand, the nymphosis would now be due. 

 But times are hard; and the grub, in its wis- 

 dom, decides to defer the delicate work of 

 transformation. Sturdy creature that it is, 

 It will be able to resist the cold much better 

 than the nymph, that frail beginning of a new 

 life. It therefore has patience and tarries 

 in a state of torpor. I take it from its cell to 

 examine it. 



Convex on top and almost flat below, the 

 larva is a semicylinder bent into a hook. 



Z2.2 



