THE PEA- WEEVIL 269 



isolation in separate cells no conflicts need be feared ; 

 no sudden bite of the mandibles, whether intentional or 

 accidental. All the occupants enjoy the same rights of 

 property, the same appetite, and the same strength. 

 How does this communal feast terminate ? 



Having first opened them, I place a number of peas 

 which are found to be well peopled in a glass test-tube. 

 I open others daily. In this way I keep myself informed 

 as to the progress of the various larvae. At first nothing 

 noteworthy is to be seen. Isolated in its narrow 

 chamber, each grub nibbles the substance around it, 

 peacefully and parsimoniously. It is still very small ; 

 a mere speck of food is a feast ; but the contents of 

 one pea will not suffice the whole number to the end. 

 Famine is ahead, and all but one must perish. 



Soon, indeed, the aspect of things is entirely changed. 

 One of the grubs — that which occupies the central 

 position in the pea — begins to grow more quickly than 

 the others. Scarcely has it surpassed the others in size 

 when the latter cease to eat, and no longer attempt to 

 burrow forwards. They lie motionless and resigned ; they 

 die that gentle death which comes to unconscious lives. 

 Henceforth the entire pea belongs to the sole survivor. 

 Now what has happened that these lives around the 

 privileged one should be thus annihilated ? In default 

 of a satisfactory reply, I -will propose a suggestion. 



In the centre of the pea, less ripened than the rest of 

 the seed by the chemistry of the sun, may there not be 

 a softer pulp, of a quality better adapted to the infantile 

 digestion of the grub ? There, perhaps, being nourished 

 by tenderer, sweeter, and perhaps more tasty tissues, 

 the stomach becomes more vigorous, until it is fit to 



