The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-08-31
Graye-Digginy Beetles.

one OF the wonderful provisions OF Nature
is the existence Of certain beetles with the
function of digging graves for dead rats,
moles, birds, and other small creatures left up
on the surface of the earth, and the ettluvia
from which might be oiiensiv, and baletul
Beetles of this kind are Known as the NscrophO-
rus GeinaHicUs. About these remarkable ami
mails Mr. Gleditch, an enlomologist, has given
Us several interesting and curious particulars.
Being DESTROYS to test the strength of the
gravc.dlggers, he provided glass vessel half.
filled with moist earth, into which he put four
beetles with a dead linnct No alarm was
shown by the captives. Apparently intent on
the one sole object of their existence, they be
gan Immediately TO inspect the bird; and then
commenced the digging Of hollow under
meath it, removing the earth and shoveing ii
away on each side This was accomplished
by leaning strongly upon their collars, bend
ing down their heads, and working with sin
gleness OF purpose After laboring for nearly
two hours one of the beetles was driven away
and not allowed to work again This Mr. Gle
ditch concluded was a female, rs it was small
cr than the others, who continued their labor,
until one by one they ceased, leaving only one
beetle at his work. fyce hOIS more work
were given lay the remaining beetle, who at
last sank exhausted on the earth and rested
from his task and finally, suddenly rousing
himself stilrncd his collar and by an extra
ordinary effort of strength, lifted the bird and
arranged II within the spacious grave. In
three day, the grave was finished, and the bird
safely deposited within its narrow limits.
During II space of fifty days these busy
workers Inferred the bodies of iOui frogs, three
small birds, two grasshOppers and one mole.
This singular occupation, which continues
from the middle of April until the end of DC
tober. proceeds from an instructive desire for
The preservation of their offspring. Eggs de
posted by the parent in the substances which
they inter, when matched, produce Larvae, which
feeding on the CurriOn which surrounds them,
grow to an inch in length. These in their
turn change into yellow ehrysalids, and lastly
into beetles; and the latter, when emerged
from the earth begin to dig graves and inter
dead animals for the benefit of another gen
Grafton.
In September 1877 the writer had uncNpcct-
edly an opportunity Of making the acquant-
of these curious insects. Two of the grave
digging beetles made their appearance in one
of two underground kitchens, in the window
of which stood very large pot filled with
mould prepared for the reception of plant-Cut-
tings. To this pot the insects made their way
and at once began casting up the earth. On
beng observed they were provided with Il dead
mouse, and set to work exactly in the manner
described by Mr. Glcditch; but as soon us
they became tired and rested from their labor
they were carried into the adjoining kitchen
and placed close to the fireplace. The follow
ing morning discovered them at work, having
travelled to their former quarters during the
night; and again they labored perscveringly
TIL the body of the mouse gradually disap-
peared. At the end of the second day it was
neatly covered IN, and the insects were turned
out of their home and again placed in the
back kitchen. Meanwhile the body of the
mouse was removed but on the following
morning the beetles had returned to their
tlowcrpot. and were again hurrowing in search
Of the dead mouse, throwing out nearly the
the whole of the mould in their untring eff.
forts Finally, rs IL reward for their industry
and perseverance, they were transferred to tho
garden and placed close to the dead mouse,
which they at once began to bury a!fesh
Doubtless there is much of poetry rs well as
kindly feeling associated with this plodding
insect
And thus from sire Ia son. through clrcllng years
Labor these watChtu creatures, noting wen
II falls small bird from the bending spray,
or mole tost out by ruthless hands, his home
Laid waste himself corpse, where late he wrought
With patient toll, his humble shed to rear:
or brown mouse sleeping his last sleep, be side
Some tuu OF wild thyme: all and each are borne
From curious ken, ana laid the earth beneath
with decent care.