8 4 
A NATURALIST ON THE PROWL. 
The enemies of the beetle (collectors, for instance) are 
terrified by its resemblance to a rhinoceros, and before 
they recover from their astonishment the beetle makes 
its escape. N.B. — This is ironical. 
However, for practical work I prefer the simple spade, 
and I would back my navvy against any that the world 
has produced. What thighs he has ! I believe, if you 
sat upon him, he could almost walk away with you, but of 
course he might prefer to burrow into you. In truth the 
strength of these burrowing beetles is incredible. When 
they come to my lamp and tumble about the table-cloth, 
as the smaller kinds often do on a rainy evening, I some- 
times amuse myself by putting a dinner plate on the 
back of one of them. For a few seconds it lies still, 
wondering what has happened, but presently it bows 
itself, like Samson, and the plate is heaved up and 
moves away as easily as the gates of Gaza. You may 
easily recognise the family by the heavy build, the flat 
head, and the unmistakable burrowing tools, and as they 
blunder about the table-cloth, looking so clean and bright, 
it is curious to think of the work from which they have 
come. They often try to fly, but cannot get under way 
at all, and only tumble over on their backs. To effect 
