The Life of the Weevil 



wood and sturdy grasses, its habitual envi- 

 ronment. When the handsome thistle with 

 the blue spheres has long been mouldering on 

 the edge of the roads, the carlina, with its 

 rot-proof base, still stands erect, dead and 

 brown but not dilapidated. Another ex- 

 cellent quality is this: the scales of its heads 

 contract and make a roof which the rain has 

 difficulty in penetrating. 



In such a shelter there is no occasion to 

 fear the dangers which make the Spotted 

 Larinus quit her pitchers at the approach of 

 winter: the dwelling is securely founded and 

 the cell is dry. The Bear Larinus is well 

 aware of these advantages; she is careful 

 not to imitate the other in wintering under 

 the cover of dead leaves and stone-heaps. 

 She does not stir abroad, assured beforehand 

 of the efficiency of her roof. 



On the roughest days of the year, in Janu- 

 ary, if the weather permits me to go out, 

 I open the heads of the carline thistles which 

 I come across. I always find the Larinus 

 there, in all the freshness of her striped 

 costume. She is waiting, benumbed, until 

 the warmth and animation of May return. 

 Then only will she break the dome of her 

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