In a few moments the pellet has sunk level with the
ground, and in a few moments more the loose earth pushed upward has
overtopped it and it is out of sight. Still, for hours this busy
excavator continues to dig her hole and pull the ball in after her with
shovel head and molelike digging feet, scooping out a circular well much
larger than the diameter of the ball, which slowly sinks by its own
weight, aided by her occasional downward pull as this same loosened
earth is pushed upward above it. The burrow is thus sunk several inches,
when the beetle ploughs her way to the surface and is ready for another
similar experience.

The remaining history of the ball and its change is soon told. The egg
within it soon hatches, the larva finding just a sufficiency of food to
carry it to its full growth, when it transforms to a chrysalis, and at
length to the tumble-bug like its parent. The formerly loose earth above
him is now firmly packed, but he seems to know by instinct why those
powerful front feet were given to him, and he is quickly working his way
to the surface, and in a day or so is seen in the barn-yard rolling his
ball as skilfully as his mother had done before him.

Such is the method always employed by the tumble-bug as I have seen him.
And yet I have read in many natural histories and have heard careful
observers claim that the hole is dug first and the ball rolled in.
Perhaps they vary their plan, but I doubt it. Here is a matter for some
of our boys and girls to look into.

[Illustration: THE CAMERA CLUB.]

This Department is conducted in the interest of Amateur
Photographers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any
question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should
address Editor Camera Club Department.

OUR PRIZE OFFER.

The members of the Camera Club will notice that our competition this
year is confined to three subjects or classes--Marines, Landscapes, and
Figure Studies. All the prizes are in money, and there are ten prizes.
The members are not restricted as to the number of prints they may send
in, nor are they barred from any class. A member may compete in each of
the five classes, and has ten chances of winning a prize.

We want every Knight and Lady of our Camera Club to compete for these
prizes. We also want you to tell your friends about them, and get them
to join the Camera Club. A circular which tells all about the Club has
just been issued by