This, to him, is a familiar thing, representing the gramineous fibre so frequent in the case of burial in grass-covered soil.

Tenaciously the shears gnaw at the bond; the vegetable fetter is severed and the Mouse falls, to be buried a little later.
If it were isolated, this severance of the suspending tie would be a magnificent performance; but considered in connection with the sum of the Beetle's customary labours it loses all far-reaching significance.
Before attacking the ligature, which was not concealed in any way, the insect exerted itself for a whole morning in shaking the body, its usual method.

Finally, finding the cord, it severed it, as it would have severed a ligament of couch-grass encountered underground.
Under the conditions devised for the Beetle, the use of the shears is the indispensable complement of the use of the shovel; and the modicum of discernment at his disposal is enough to inform him when the blades of his shears will be useful.

He cuts what embarrasses him with no more exercise of reason than he displays when placing the corpse underground.

So little does he grasp the connection between cause and effect that he strives to break the bone of the leg before gnawing at the bast which is knotted close beside him.