148 iV/r. Lehm Ann's Ohferva lions en the Curculto Trifouh 



fizes, which of conrfe paffed Into their perfe6l ftatc at different 

 periods from the middle of Auguft until the end of September. 



I preferved half a dozen of them in a flower-pot covered with 

 gauze, in w^hich I had previoully fown fome turnip feed. They 

 fed a little upon the cotyledons of this plant, but feemed not in- 

 clined to perform that duty which nature has impofed on them m 

 their perfect ftate. On the contrary, they foon retired to a fecret 

 corner of their prifon above the earth, where they remained in a 

 quiefcent ftate ; and, after the firil cold nights in Odober, appeared 

 as if dead, but foon revived upon being brought into my warm 

 ftudy. 



Few as thefe obfervations may appear, yet, added to your iutereft- 

 ing difcovery, they may form an outline of the hiftory of this httle 

 animal, which further and more accurate obfervations may com' 

 plete. 



Hatched between the calyces of the ^nfolium praien/e, the maggot 

 penetrates with its head into the rudiments of the firft feed, as yet 

 in a liquid ftate, and then proceeds to another more advanced and 

 fuitable to its increafed ftrength. Having confumed 3 or 4 of them, 

 it remains in the place of the lail:, where it is fufficiently fheltered, 

 and changes like other w^eevils into the pupa or chryfalis ftate, 

 through the tranfparent ikin of which an experienced eye may 

 trace the different limbs of the future animal. After a few days 

 the infe6l comes forth in its imago or perfedl ftate, at firft foft and 

 white, but foon changing to a ftiining black colour, except the tibi^ 

 and firft joint of the antennae, which remain yellow. 



Having taken a lliort meal, it flowly conceals itfelf in the fmall 

 holes of fences, or in the bark of trees, where it repofes during the 

 winter, if fufficiently proteded from its numerous enemies. Few 

 however, happily, furvive; for it appears impofhble that many fhould 

 efcape the vigilance and dexterity of the wren, the redbreaft, the 



nun. 



