uple of hours the jerks continue without results. I profit by
the circumstance to investigate the manner in which the work is
performed. The bare brick allows me to see what the excavated soil
concealed from me. If it is necessary to move the body, the Beetle
turns over; with his six claws he grips the hair of the dead animal,
props himself upon his back and pushes, making a lever of his head and
the tip of his abdomen. If digging is required, he resumes the normal
position. So, turn and turn about, the sexton strives, now with his
claws in the air, when it is a question of shifting the body or
dragging it lower down; now with his feet on the ground, when it is
necessary to deepen the grave.

The point at which the Mouse lies is finally recognized as
unassailable. A male appears in the open. He explores the specimen,
goes the round of it, scratches a little at random. He goes back; and
immediately the body rocks. Is he advising his collaborators of what he
has discovered? Is he arranging matters with a view to their
establishing themselves elsewhere, on propitious soil?

The facts are far from confirming this idea. When he shakes the body,
the others imitate him and push, but without combining their efforts in
a given direction, for, after advancing a little towards the edge of
the brick, the burden goes back again, returning to the point of
departure. In the absence of any concerted understanding, their efforts
of leverage are wasted. Nearly three hours are occupied by oscillations
which mutually annul one another. The Mouse does not cross the little
sand-hill heaped about it by the rakes of the workers.

For the second time a male emerges and makes a round of exploration. A
bore is made in workable earth, close beside the brick. This is a trial
excavation, to reveal the nature of the soil; a narrow well, of no
great depth, into which the insect plunges to half its length. The
well-sinker returns to the other workers, who arch their backs, and the
load progresses a finger's-breadth towards the point recognized as
favourable. Have they done the trick this time? No, for after a while
the Mouse recoils. No progress towards a solution of the difficulty.

Now two males come out in search of information, each of his own
accord. Instead of stopping at the point already sounded, a point most
judiciously chosen, it seemed, on account of its proximity, which would
save laborious transportation, they precipitately scour the wh