The Spotted Larinus 



before she is exploiting the heads, green at 

 this time and the size of peas, or at most of 

 cherries, with a view to establishing her 

 family. For two or three weeks the work of 

 colonization continues on globes which grow 

 bluer and larger day by day. 



Couples are formed, very peaceably, in 

 the glad morning sunlight. The nuptial 

 preliminaries, resembling the embraces of 

 jointed levers, display a rustic awkwardness. 

 With his fore-legs the male Weevil masters 

 his spouse; with his hinder tarsi, gently and 

 at intervals, he strokes her sides. Alterna- 

 ting with these soft caresses are sudden jolts 

 and impetuous jerks. Meanwhile, the object 

 of these attentions, in order to lose no time, 

 works at the thistle-head with her beak and 

 prepares the lodging for her egg. Even in 

 the midst of her wedding the care of the 

 family leaves this laborious insect no repose. 



What precisely is the use of the Weevil's 

 rostrum, this paradoxical nose, such as no 

 carnival murmur would venture to wear? 

 We shall find out at leisure, taking our own 

 time. 



My prisoners, enclosed in a wire-gauze 

 cover, are working in the sunlight on my 

 27 



