254 BURYING BEETLE OX 6LEIVE CROOB. 



of the burying beetles {Silphidce). Their English 

 name imports what is their most distinguishing 

 occupation, which is, in reality, that of interring the 

 bodies of numerous small animals. They are grave- 

 diggers by profession. It is their "vocation," and 

 most sedulously do they perform its duties. At first 

 view, one of this tribe would seem to lead a very 

 laborious life, but " custom hath made it in him a 

 property of easiness," and the object to be attained 

 converts the labour into enjoyment. That object is 

 to provide a proper nidus for the eggs, and provide 

 the future grubs with the sustenance necessary for 

 their subsistence and developement. Of course 

 the beetle is usually to be found where there are 

 decaying animal substances, or fungi similar in 

 smell. One of them {Necrophorus mortuorum) was, 

 however, taken where it was " least " to be " ex- 

 pected," near the summit of Sleive Croob. This is 

 a high mountain in the county of Down, and can 

 scarcely be ascended in favourable weather without 

 exciting the feeUng so well embodied in the exclama- 

 tion of the poet : — 



*' Oh ! there is sweetness in the mountain air, 

 And life, that bloated Ease can never hope to share." 



Childe Harold, Canto I. Stanza XXX. 



It was here, far away from all appearance of putrid 

 or decaying substances, with the pure and balmy 



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