156 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



the bottom of the biirrow, deposits an egg, and ascends, repeat- 

 ing this process as long as its powers endure. There are several 

 other British beetles which prepare the cradle for their offspring 

 in a similar manner. 



Merely to dig a hole, to place at the bottom of it the food 

 which the young are intended to eat, and to fill it in with earth, 

 is a process of great simplicity, and makes but few calls on the 

 industry or ingenuity of the labourer. Some allied beetles there 

 are, however, which feed their young on similar substances, and 

 in like manner bury them in the earth, but which exercise 

 extraordinary industry in the performance of the task. All the 

 world has heard of the famous ScabaBjEUS of the Egyptians, 

 (Scardbceus sacer,) an insect which is found in many parts of the 

 globe, and very much resembles the Dor beetle of our own 

 country. This insect sets to work in a curiously systematic 

 manner. 



As soon as the sensitive organs of the Scarabaeus announce 

 to it that the desired substance is at hand, it proceeds to the 

 spot, alights, and sets at once to work. First, it sinks a tolerably 

 deep and perpendicular hole in the ground, and, having returned 

 to the cow-dung, it separates a sufficient quantity for its purpose, 

 lays an egg in it, and forms it into a rude balL She, for the 

 female insect is the worker, then begins a curious and laborious 

 task. Seizing the ball between her hind feet, she begins to roll 

 it about in the hot sunshine, not taking it direct to the shaft 

 which she has sunk, but remaining near the spot. Should rain 

 come on she ceases to roll, or should the ball be made just before 

 sunset, she waits for the morning before recommencing her 

 labour. The consequence of all this curious rolhng about, is 

 twofold ; it accelerates the hatching of the enclosed egg by the 

 exposure to the sunbeams, and it forms a thin, hard, clay-like 

 crust round the soft material in which the egg reposes. 



When the baU is sufficiently rolled, it is taken to the hole, 

 dropped down and the earth filled in. The egg is very soon 

 hatched, and from it proceeds a little white grub, which finds 

 itself at once in the midst of food, and begins to eat vigorously. 

 By the time it has devoured the whole of the contents of its 

 cocoon — if the mere empty sheU may be so called — it is ready 

 for its change into the pupal form, and there lies in the earth 

 until it again changes its form and becomes a perfect beetle. 



