240 SOCIAL LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD 



the thickets. Yet if the beetle with the long beak 

 exploits the acorns, as I think it does, the time presses if 

 I am to catch it at its work. The acorns, still green 

 have acquired their full growth. In two or three weeks 

 they will attain the chestnut brown of perfect maturity, 

 quickly followed by their fall. 



My seemingly futile pilgrimage ends in success. On 

 the evergreen oaks I surprise a Balaninus with the trunk 

 half sunk in an acorn. Careful observation is impossible 

 while the branches are shaken by the mistral. I detach 

 the twig and lay it gently upon the ground. The insect 

 takes no notice of its removal ; it continues its work. I 

 crouch beside it, sheltered from the storm behind a 

 mass of underwood, and watch operations. 



Shod with adhesive sandals which later on, in my 

 laboratory, will allow it rapidly to climb a vertical sheet 

 of glass, the elephant-beetle is solidly established on 

 the smooth, steep curvature of the acorn. It is working 

 its drill. Slowly and awkwardly it moves around its 

 implanted weapon, describing a semicircle whose centre 

 is the point of the drill, and then another semicircle in 

 the reverse direction. This is repeated over and over 

 again ; the movement, in short, is identical with that 

 we give to a bradawl when boring a hole in a plank. 



Little by little the rostrum sinks into the acorn. At 

 the end of an hour it has entirely disappeared. A short 

 period of repose follows, and finally the instrument is 

 withdrawn. What is going to happen next ? Nothing 

 on this occasion. The Balaninus abandons its work 

 and solemnly retires, disappearing among the withered 

 leaves. For the day there is nothing more to be 

 learned. 



