In the absence of any concerted understanding, their efforts of leverage are wasted.

Nearly three hours are occupied by oscillations which mutually annul one another.

The Mouse does not cross the little sand-hill heaped about it by the rakes of the workers.
For the second time a male emerges and makes a round of exploration.

A bore is made in workable earth, close beside the brick.

This is a trial excavation, to reveal the nature of the soil; a narrow well, of no great depth, into which the insect plunges to half its length.