50 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



directly downward at first, and then the nose 

 elevated with a kind of jerk, which sends the 

 earth forwards. 



154. After the grave is thus filled up, the 

 earth is trodden in, and undergoes another keen 

 scrutiny all round, the bird being completely 

 hidden ; the beetle then makes a hole in the still 

 loose earth, and having buried the bird and his 

 own bride, next buries himself. 



155. The female lays her eggs in the carcase 

 of the bird, in number proportioned to its size ; 

 and after this operation is over, and the pair have 

 eaten as much of the savoury viand as they please, 

 they make their way out, and fly away in quest 

 of further adventures. 



156. The eggs are hatched in two days, and 

 produce flat scaly grubs, which run about with 

 great activity ; these grubs grow excessively fast, 

 and very soon consume all that their parents had 

 left. As soon as they are full grown, they cease 

 eating, and burrowing further in the earth, become 

 pupae. The length of time they remain in this 

 state appears uncertain ; but when arrived at the 

 perfect state, they make round holes in the ground, 

 from which they come forth. 



