At first we attempted to dig them out with a spade, but without any
great success; for either we could not get to the bottom of the hole,
which often terminated under a great stone; or else, in breaking up
the ground, we inadvertently squeezed the poor insect to death. Out
of one so bruised we took a multitude of eggs, which were long
and narrow, of a yellow colour, and covered with a very tough skin.
By this accident we learned to distinguish the male from the
female; the former of which is shining black, with a golden stripe
across his shoulders; the latter is more dusky, more capacious
about the abdomen, and carries a long sword-shaped weapon at her
tail, which probably is the instrument with which she deposits her
eggs in crannies and safe receptacles.
Where violent methods will not avail, more gentle means will often
succeed; and so it proved in the present case; for, though a spade
be too boisterous and rough an implement, a pliant stalk of grass,
gently insinuated into the caverns, will probe their windings to the
bottom, and quickly bring out the inhabitant; and thus the humane
inquirer may gratify his curiosity without injuring the object of it.
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