At last one of the excavators, favoured by the direction taken, reaches the central dairy. It settles there and the thing is done: there is nothing for the rest but to die. How do they come to know that the place is taken? Do they hear their kinsman’s mandibles striking against the wall of his cell? Can they feel the vibration of the nibbling at a distance? Something of the sort must happen, for from that moment they cease their attempts to burrow any farther. Without struggling with the lucky winner, without seeking to dislodge him, those beaten in the race allow themselves to die. I like this frank resignation on the part of the late arrivals. [[199]]
[1] Marcus Terentius Varro (B.C. 116–circa B.C. 27), a famous Roman scholar, author of De Re Rustica and for some time director of the public library.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[2] Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella (fl. 1st century A.D.), author of a work, De Re Rustica, bearing the same title as Varro’s.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[3] A very large, prehistoric Bear (Ursus spelæus) whose remains are common in European caves, including those of England.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[4] The modern classification places the Pea- and Haricot-weevils in a separate family, the Bruchidæ, whereas the family of the Curculionidæ includes most of the other, or true, Weevils.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[5] 1⁄25 inch.—Translator’s Note. [↑]