m no danger threatens, is supposed to be such a
coward as to sham death on the slightest alarm! I take the liberty of
doubting this more and more.

I am confirmed in my doubts by the Smooth-skinned Scarites (_S.
lavigatus_, FAB.), a denizen of the same shores. The first insect is a
giant; the second, by comparison, is a dwarf. Otherwise he displays
the same shape, the same jet-black costume, the same armour, the same
habits of brigandage. Well, the Smooth-skinned Scarites, in spite of
his weakness and his smallness, is almost ignorant of the trick of
pretending to be dead. When molested for a moment and then turned on
his back, he at once picks himself up and flees. I can hardly obtain a
few seconds' immobility; once only, daunted by my obstinacy, the dwarf
remains motionless for a quarter of an hour.

How different from the giant, motionless the moment that he is thrown
upon his back, sometimes picking himself up only after an hour of
inaction! It is the reverse of what ought to happen, if the apparent
death were really a defensive ruse. The giant, confident in his
strength, should disdain this cowardly posture; the timid dwarf should
be quick to have recourse to it. And it is just the other way about.
What is there behind all this?

Let us try the influence of danger. With what natural enemy shall I
confront the big Scarites, motionless on his back? I know none. Let us
then create a make-believe assailant. The Flies put me on the track of
one.

I have spoken of their importunity during my investigations in the hot
season. If I do not employ a bell-glass or keep an assiduous watch,
rarely does the shrewish Dipteron fail to alight upon my patient and
explore him with her proboscis. We will let her have her way this
time.

Hardly has the Fly grazed this apparent corpse with her legs, when the
Scarites' tarsi quiver as though twitched by a slight electric shock.
If the visitor be merely passing, matters go no farther; but, if she
persist, particularly near the Beetle's mouth, moist with saliva and
disgorged secretions of food, the tormented Scarites promptly kicks,
turns over and makes off.

Perhaps he did not think it opportune to prolong his fraud in the face
of so contemptible an enemy. He resumes his activity because he has
recognized the absence of danger. Then let us call in another
interloper, one of formidable size and strength. I happen to have
handy a Great Capricorn, with powerful claws and mandibles. T