The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-10-15
SEXTON BEETLES.

ne Perfect way In which the Industri-
ous Little Insects Do Their Work.
In the whole insect kingdom there 10
nothing much more wonderful than
the intelligent work performed BY the
burying beetle. These small and pro
digiously-strong creatures are about an
inch long. They are black. with two
bands across the back OF bright
orange color. and two spots OF this
color on each OF the wings. Although
in SO gay and attractive dress. Il -
not safe TO handle the insect. on ac-
count OF a fetid odor that constantly
emanates from it, and which soap, wa
ter, alkalies and strong perfumeries
are powerless 10 remove.
| These busy creatures will bury birds,
! frogs, rabbits and pieces OF meat with
the greatest rapiditv- and when one Is
not equal to the task. others will take
! a share in the work. One beetle can
bury a bird 10 two or three hours. and
50 perfectly as to leave no trace OF
what has been going on. This JOB Is
always performed BY the male, the fe-
male sitting placidly on the object
about to be buried, up TO certain
stage OF proceedings. when The male
prefers TO be alone. She waits TO be
driven of by her master, however, who
never fails at the proper moment 10 ~
tack her with force.
One afternoon last summer the writer,
in crossing plowed field. saw one OF
these beetles burying the body Of =
.chippy." and stopped to watch the
progress OF the work. One furrow had
been dug around the bird. about half
an inch distant Master Beetle was
inst commencing another inside OF this
when stopped 10 watch the process.
This work was performed with the jaws
and the head, and in thoroughly
workmanlike manner. After while
the creature was lost to sight. but
soon discovered that he had not by any
means abandoned the Job. The bird
began to sway and settle, proving that
Z the foundations were being under
mined. Ii was plain now that this
!, earth which had been dug into iurrow'
! was to be used in covering the birt
! when he should have scooped out
!. hole large enough 70 hold the i'ttl'
Z body. This process had taken nearly
4 three hours. and il was now long pas
4 sunset. was anxious to stay ans
! watch the completion OF the work, bu
Z that was impossible.
In talking the matter over with
!. distinguished entomologist. was toll
!, !, that the next thing on the programm
. would have been the pulling Of IN
" bird downward by the feathers, an
this would have occupied half an hou
q or more. Then the beetle would tax
!" A long rest After this he would trea
a the bird firmly into it, grave. pull'n
= il by its feathers this way ard that, an
4 then, using his broad had for
: shovel. pile the dirt on top OF the tan
I carcass
= The next thing in order d TO ca
back the female beetle and make
: hole FOR her in the still loose cart
y The male c-Twls In aftcrher, and wke
q the female has laid her eggs and Il
q pair have eaten all they can hold
= their new provender. they emerge Or
n fly away to ''frcsh fields and pastur
N new"
i IA dozen beetles win bury a goo
= sized rabbit in few hours" my frie'
y. informed me, land dead rat. whi'
they consider the greatest Of all Ia
uries, have seen most speedily q
cred up By half that number. ~ ican
Kirk n COngregafionaiisf.