The Sacred Beetle Frontispiece Dung Beetles gathering Provender Facing page 6 Geotrupes stercorarius fighting for the Pellet 12 Cerceris bupresticida and its Prey; Bupresticis micans and Buprestis flavomaculata 46 Cerceris tuberculata dragging Weevil to its Burrow 54 Cerceris ferreri and its Prey, the Weevil; Rhynchites betulæ on Birch Leaves, showing two leaves rolled up by the Weevil 58 Sphex flavipennis about to seize Grasshopper 120 Sphex occitanica taking a Sun Bath 136 The Sphex of Languedoc dragging to its Burrow an Ephippiger of the Vine 156 The Sphex of Languedoc and its enemy, the Praying Mantis 166 Ammophila hirsuta attacking a Grub 194 Ammophila sabulosa taking stone to cover its Burrow; A. argentata Mining 207 Ammophila hirsuta hunting for Caterpillars; Ammophila sabulosa on the Wing 208 Bembex rostrata taking Gadfly to its Nest; Bembex rostrata Mining 240 Mason Bees—Chalicodoma muraria on Old Nest 272 Mason Bees—Chalicodoma sicula and Nest 280 I THE SACRED BEETLE This was how it came about. We were five or six, I the oldest and their professor, still more their comrade and friend; they, young fellows with warm hearts and lively imaginations, overflowing with that youthful vitality which makes one so open to impressions and so eager for knowledge.