160 EVENINGS AT THE MICROSCOPE. 



scajms), and the second (called the pedicella), differ in 

 form from the rest here but slightly, but often consider- 

 ably. The whole of the remaining joints are together 

 termed the clavola. 



You may see a considerable variety of figure and of 

 aspect generally in this tiny Weevil, which may be ac- 

 cepted as a representative of a great family of Beetles, 

 the Curcidionidce. The manner of their insertion strikes 

 us at first sight as peculiar, as is in fact the aspect of the 

 whole head. Instead of a thick substantial solid front, 

 with powerful widely-gaping jaws, such as we saw in the 

 Carabs, a long rod-like proboscis here projects from 

 between the eyes, as long as the whole animal, curving 

 downwards, and carrying at its very extremity a minute 

 mouth, with all the proper apparatus of lips, jaws, and 

 palpi. Moreover, the antennce are planted on the two 

 sides of this beak, about its mid-length; and they are 

 curiously elbowed, each projecting horizontally at a right 

 angle to the beak for a considerable distance, and then 

 with a sharp angle becoming parallel to it for the re- 

 mainder of their length. So that, supposing the terminal 

 half of the beak to be broken off just behind the insertion 

 of the antennce, the whole would compose the letter T. 

 Now, the first bend of this angle is composed of a single 

 joint, the scapus, which is, in this family, greatly length- 

 ened ; and then the two or three final joints are much 

 thicker than all the others, and are as it were fused 

 together into a large oval knob, called the club. 



Now, a word or two in explanation of this very singular 

 form of head and head-organs. The larva or grub stage 

 of these insects is destined to be passed in the interior 

 of fruits and seeds; the individual which we have been 

 examining (Balaninus nucum) was born one morning in 

 August, in the interior of a hazel-nut. Its parent had 

 chosen a suitable nut, just then when it was set for fruit 

 and as yet green and soft ; and had with her proboscis, 



