PILL-CHAFER. 
262 
it happen to roll into some deep hollow or chink, 
where they are constrained to leave it ; but they 
continue their work by rolling off the next ball that 
comes in their way. None of them seem to know 
their own balls, but an equal care for the whole ap- 
pears to affect all the community. They form these 
pellets while the dung remains moist, and leave 
them to harden in the sun before they attempt to 
roll them. In their moving of them from place to 
place, both they and the balls may frequently be 
seen tumbling about over the little eminences that 
are in their way. They are not however easily dis- 
couraged, and, by repeating their attempts, usually 
surmount the difficulties. 
These insects are about an inch in length, and so 
strong, that when one or two of them are put under 
a candlestick they will cause it to move backwards 
and forwards, to the great surprise of those that are 
not aware of the trick. 
