They also went on outings in the machine, Professor Snodgrass going along occasionally, to look for late fall insects. One day the little scientist, learning that Bob, Ned, Jerry and Tom Bacon were going in the direction of Fox Swamp, mentioned the fact that he wanted to go there also, to see if he could not find a certain species of very large beetle, which, at this time of the year, burrowed into the ground, there to remain until warm weather came again.
“Come along,” said Jerry, who was at the wheel; and they were soon speeding in the direction of Fairview.
“This is some way to come to college!” exclaimed Tom, enthusiastically. “A motor boat and a car would make college worth while to anyone.”
“And Boxwood Hall is a dandy place!” exclaimed Ned.
As they passed the fair grounds, scenes of activity were noted.
“Looks as though something was going on,” remarked Bob.
“There is,” said Tom. “The fair opens to-morrow, and there’s going to be an aeroplane flight. I’m coming over.”
The other boys expressed their intention of doing the same. On their arrival at the swamp Professor Snodgrass enlisted the aid of the lads in looking for the large beetle.
“If you see some round holes in the ground, with a little heap of earth on two sides of it, you may know the beetle is there,” he said.
“Why _two_ heaps of earth?” asked Ned. “There is only one when ants dig out their chambers under ground.”
“That is one of the peculiarities of this beetle,” said the little scientist, as he mentioned the Latin name. “It burrows into the ground, and brings up the excavated earth, putting it in two almost exactly even piles. Just why, we have never been able to learn.”
The boys scattered, to look for beetle holes, for they liked the professor and were always glad to help him in his scientific work, especially when it was of an odd turn, such as this.
“Here’s a hole--I’ve found one!” cried Ned, and Professor Snodgrass, hurrying over, confirmed the discovery.
“The beetle is working down there now,” he said. “You can tell that by the freshness of the piles of earth.” The boys saw that there were two little earth-piles, just as the scientist had said. Professor Snodgrass knelt down over the hole.
The professor inserted his two fingers in the opening, and began feeling about. Suddenly a queer look came over his face, and he uttered an exclamation.