ELEODES THE BEETLE 119 



he tumbles over, and then you see him assume 

 the head down position and stay in that attitude 

 for minutes at a time, so long that you would 

 judge him weary beyond endurance. He gen- 

 erally waits until you go your way and then 

 scuttles under cover. 



The actions of this beetle that kicks his heels 

 into the air are explained to the satisfaction of 

 the Zuni Indians in a curious little folk-tale 

 entitled "The Coyote and the Beetle." I give 

 it as told by Mr. Frank Gushing in his charming 

 "Zuni Folk-Tales": 



Well, in ancient times on the pathway leading 

 around Fat Mountain, there was one of these 

 beetles running about in all directions in the sun- 

 shine when a Coyote came trotting along. He 

 pricked up his ears, lowered his nose, arched his 

 neck, and struck out his paw toward the Beetle. 



"Ha!" said he, "I shall bite you!" 



The Beetle immediately struck his head down 

 close to the ground, and, lifting his antennae, 

 deprecatingly exclaimed, "Hold on! Hold on, 

 friend ! Wait a bit, for the love of mercy ! I hear 

 something very strange down here!" 



"Humph!" cried the Coyote. "What do you 

 hear?" 



"Hush! Hush!" cried the Beetle, with his head 

 still to the ground. ' ' Listen 1 ' ' 



