Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-23
G.rnNe.MIgging ueetIes.

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
upon the surface of the earth, and the ctiluvia
from which might be offensive and baleful
Beetles Of this kind are known rs the Nero
piofUs gcfHaHjcaS About these remarkable
animals Mr.. Gloditch, an Cntomologist, has
! given us several interesting and curious par
| ticulars Being dcsirous to test the strength
| of the grave e-diggcrs, he provided glass ves-
sci half filed with moist earth, into which he
! put four beetles with dead linnet No alarm
| was shown by the captvcs. Apparently in
| tent on the one sole object Of their existence,
! they began immediately to inspect the bird,
and then commenced the digging Of Il hollow
underneath it, removing the earth, and shov-
cling it away on each side. This was accom-
! plislcd by leaning strongly upon their collars,
! bending down their heads and working with
a singlcness Of purpose. After labOring for
nearly two hours, one of the beetles was driv-
Ell away and not allowed to work again. This,
AIr. Gleditch concluded, was a female, as it
was smaller than the others, which continued
their labor. until one by one they ceased, leav-
ing only one beetle at his work. Fire hOurS
more hard work were given by the remaining
beetle which at last sank exhausted on the
earth and rested from his task, and finally
| suddenly rOusng himself, stilfeucd his collar
and by an extraordinary effort Of strength lift
I'd up The bird and arranged it within the spa
cious grave. In three days the grave was fin
ishcd, and the bird safely deposited within its
narrow limits.
During space OF fifty days these busy
workers inferred the bodies of four frogs,
three small birds, two grasshoppers, and one
mole. This singular occupation, which CON
tinues from the middle of April until the end
Of October. proceeds from an instructive de
sire for the preservation of their offspring.
Eggs deposited by the parent in the substances
which they inter, when h0tchod produce
larvp, which, feeding on the carrion which
surrounds them, grow to an inch in length.
These in their turn change into yellow chry-
salds. and lastly into beetles and the latter,
when emerged from the earth, begin to dig
graves aud inter dead animals for the benefit
Of another generation.
In September. 1877, the writer had unex-
pectedly an opportunity Of making the ac-
quaintance of these curious insects. Two OF
the graye-digging beetles made their appear
ance in one or two under ground kitchens, in
the window Of which stood a very large poi
filed with mould prepared for the reception
of piant-cuttngs. To this pot the insects
made their way. and at once began casting VI
the EARTH On being observed, they were pro
Yidcd with dead mouse. and set TO work ex
actly the manner described by Mr.. Gleditch
but as soon as they became tired and rested
from their labor, they were carried into the
adjoining kitchen and placed close to the fire
place The following morning discovered
them again at work, having travelled to theil
former quarters during the night and agar
they labored perseyeringly till the body of th'
mouse gradually disappeared. At the enc
of the second day, it was neatly covered in
and the insects were turned out of their HON,
and egain placed in the back kitchen. Mean
while the body Of the mouse was removed
but on the following morning the beetles haC
returned to their hower-pot, and were Ggail
burrowiug in search of the dead mouse, throw
ing out nearly the whole of the mould in thei
= uutiring efforts. Finally as a reward for thei
industry and perseverance,, they were trans
7 ferred to the garden and placed close to tn
5 dead mouse. which they at once began to bur.
afrcsh