The herald., 1895-07-07
A BUG WAS :
ONCE A GOD
The Tumble Bug, Found
Everywhere, a Deity
in Egypt
MRS. TUMBLE BUG HELPS
The Wonderful Little Bug Digs a Hole,
Often Foot Deep, With the Egg
on His Back
MRS. TUMBLE BUG HELPS

There is found in every state of the
union little insect that used to be ,
god. His history is a wonderful accoun
Of ups and downs. You would never
guess from his personal appearance that
he was once worshiped by human beings
for he is very plain and modest looking.
He goes about his daily toll in the most
cheerful and matter-of-fact way, seeming
y more interested in rearing heirs than
in studying ancestors. He recks not that
his name was once Sacred Scarabaeus ol
the Egyptians. Today he is plain Mr..
Tumble Bug, at your service.
But the tumbebug is of great intere 81
in himself, leaving out all mention of his
liar manner in which the Matching oi
the egg is provided for. After being laid
it is Immediately rolled up in ball oi
mud and manure. about the size of big
marble. When the ball is thoroughly
dry Mr.. and Mrs. Tumble Bug start to
rolling, in search OF some convenient
place in which to bury it. This place may
not be found for some yards. and the in
genuity displayed in navigating it over
ttat distance is far greater than that
shown by some human beings in their
chosen business.
In the first place, the ball is rou nd.
This, Of course, is the best form for roll
ing. But even then the slightest inc
quality of the ground, or even blade Of
grass. would present a serious obstacle.
> OF course, il the tumble bug were as big
as mouse he could carry the ball in his
mouth: if he were adapted for pushing
he could move it in that way; but unfort-
unately he is neither. In solving the
problem in spite of many diff ficulties
he illustrates the old saying that there
is more than one way Of killing O cat.
The method is this: Mrs. Tumble Bug
climbs up on top OF the ball and gets
good and ready to move toward. the front
edge, so as to start it going. Mr.. T.
stands on his head behind, with front feet
on the ground. while the hind feet and
tip of the abdomen are against the ball.
When all is ready Mr.. t. gives the signal
(supposedly). Mrs. 7. gives a lurch for
ward. and 10! they're off. Mrs. L. usually
has very bad luck Immediately after the
start. for almost invariably she is carried
to the ground and the ball rolls over her.
But she is very good natured about it..
She doesn't get cross or refuse to play
any more. She just climbs up from un-
der, shakes the dust out OF her skirts,
mounts the ball again and is ready for
another start.
If down grade is encountered, the
work is so much the easier, although
Jugs anu Uull Will iIeuueutly luHu Ill u
heap at the bottom. But when an up
grade or a large obstacle intervenes, the
trouble is very great. In such a case tum.
BILE bugs will 20 one of two things: They
will either desert the ball or go in search
of help. In the former case another fam
lily will frequently happen along, and take
charge of affairs. just as if the ball were
their own. In the latter case the neigh
bors always turn out, if there are any
such.
If you handle tumble bugs while they
are at work they remain very quiet until
you are through and then resume rolling
the ball. Nothing seems to disturb them.
After the ball has fairly started, the