236 FIELD, FOREST AND FARM 



falls headlong, gets up again, and catches hold of the 

 cargo once more with an ardor that nothing can dis- 

 courage. Under the rays of a scorching sun this 

 store of provision is thus dragged a long distance 

 over the sand, across the greensward, and over ruts. 

 Perhaps the scarabs find their bread at first not suf- 

 ficiently compact, and seek to give it consistency by 

 rolling it on the ground. Every one according to his 

 fancy. 



"At last a favorable spot is selected in a sandy 

 tract. One of the two proprietors hollows out in all 

 haste a dining-room, while the other stands guard 

 without over the globular treasure, ready to defend 

 it stoutly against any chance marauder. As soon as 

 the dining-room is ready the provisions are stored 

 away there, after which the two colleagues shut them- 

 selves up in their domicile, safe from unwelcome vis- 

 itors, closing their door with sand. So there they 

 are at table, with their heap of victuals in front of 

 them; and now for a good feast! When the board 

 is bare again, the two banqueters leave their dugout 

 to gather together a new globule and resume their 

 feasting. 



"The scarab is not found everywhere, the more's 

 the pity, for its manner of life is very curious to 

 watch. Wanting this manufacturer of globules, we 

 nevertheless do have everywhere other scavengers 

 which work in somewhat similar fashion. Out of 

 ordure they put together little balls of the size of a 

 cherry, and sometimes they roll away their plunder, 

 as does the scarab, bury it in the ground, and there 



