The Sacred Beetle and Others 



entomology I find no mention of an Ontho- 

 phagus carrying a horn upon his corselet. 

 No one would even have suspected the 

 possibility of such an armour, if I had not 

 bruited abroad the strange appearance of the 

 nymph. The influence of climate therefore, 

 has nothing to do with the matter. 



As we go more deeply into it, the question 

 becomes more complicated. The horny 

 appendages of the Onthophagus, the Copris, 

 the Minotaur and so many others are the 

 male's prerogative; the female is without 

 them or wears them only on a reduced and 

 very modest scale. We must look upon 

 these products as personal ornaments much 

 more than as implements of labour. The 

 male makes himself fine for the pairing; but, 

 with the exception of the Minotaur, who 

 pins down the dry pellet that needs crushing 

 and holds it in position with his trident, I 

 know none that uses his armour as a tool. 

 Horns and prongs on the forehead, crests 

 and crescents on the corselet are the male 

 coquette's jewels and nothing more. The 

 other sex requires no such baits to attract 

 suitors: its femininity is enough; and finery 

 is neglected. 



Now here is something to give us food for 

 thought. The nymph of the Onthophagus 



418 



