CHAPTER IV 
THE BOTANICAL INSTINCT 
JYfATERNITY, when it takes thought 
for the future, is the most fertile 
prompter of instinct. To the maternity that 
prepares board and lodging for the family we 
owe the wonderful achievements of the 
Dung-beetles and of the Wasps and Bees. 
The moment the mother confines herself to 
laying eggs and becomes a mere germ-fac- 
tory, the industrial talents disappear as use- 
less. 
That bravely-plumed fine lady, the Pine 
Cockchafer, digs the sandy soil with the tip 
of her abdomen and buries herself in it la- 
boriously right up to her head. Then a bun- 
dle of eggs is laid at the bottom of the exca- 
vation; and that is all, once the pit has been 
filled by means of a casual sweeping. 
Constantly ridden by her male during the 
four weeks of July, the mother Capricorn 
explores the trunk of the oak at random; 
she slips her retractible oviscapt, here, there 
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