least flurry, it shrinks into
its shell and does not budge for a long time. Let us be as patient as
the grub. We shall surely, some day or other, manage to surprise it at
work. And indeed I do. It suddenly backs into its jar, disappearing
inside entirely. In a moment it reappears, carrying a brown pellet in
its mandibles. It kneads the pellet and works it up with a little
earth gathered on the threshold of its dwelling; it softens the
mixture as required and then spreads it artistically in a thin strip
on the edge of the sheath.

The legs take no part in the job. Only the mandibles and the palpi
work, acting as tub, trowel, beater and roller in one.

Once more the grub backs into its shell: once more it returns,
bringing a second clod, which is prepared and used in the same manner.
Five or six times over, it repeats the process, until the whole
circumference of the mouth has been increased by the addition of a
rim.

The potter's compound, as we have seen, consists of two ingredients.
One of these, the first earth that comes to hand, is collected on the
threshold of the workshop; the other is fetched from inside the pot,
for, each time that the grub returns, I see it carrying a brown pellet
in its teeth. What does it keep in the back-shop? Though we can
scarcely find out by direct observation, we can at least guess.

Observe that the jar is absolutely closed behind, without the smallest
waste-pipe by which the physiological needs from which the grub is
certainly not immune can be relieved. The grub is boxed in and never
stirs out of doors. What becomes of its excretions? Well, they are
evacuated at the bottom of the pot. By a gentle movement of the rump,
the product is spread upon the walls, strengthening the coat and
giving it a velvet lining.

It is better than a lining; it is a precious store of putty. When the
grub wants to repair its shell or to enlarge it to fit its figure,
which increases daily, it proceeds to clean out its cess-pool. It
turns round and, with the tips of its mandibles, collects singly, from
the back, the brown pellets which it has only to work up with a little
earth to make a ceramic paste of the highest quality.

Observe also that the grub's pottery is shaped like the legs of our
peg-top trousers and is wider inside than at the opening. This
excessive girth has its obvious use. It enables the animal to bend and
turn when the contents of the cess-pit are needed for a fresh course
of masonr