The Life of the Weevil 



a niggardly centaury {Centaurea aspera, 

 Lin.), with ragged heads, smaller than the 

 tip of one's httle finger, trailing on the 

 ground; we see her founding colonies on the 

 various thistles beloved of the Spangled 

 Larinus, even on Kentrophyllum lanatum. 

 Her botanical knowledge of plants so dis- 

 similar gives us food for reflection. 



As a Weevil, she recognizes very clearly, 

 without resorting to tests, what is artichoke- 

 heart and what is not, what suits her off- 

 spring and what would harm it; and I, as a 

 naturalist, versed by assiduous practice in the 

 flora of my district, would not dare, without 

 prudent enquiries, to bite into this or that 

 fruit or berry were I suddenly transported 

 to another country. 



She is born with her knowledge; and I 

 have to learn. Every summer, with superb 

 audacity, she goes from her thistle to various 

 others which, having no similarity of appear- 

 ance, ought, one would think, to be rejected 

 as suspicious hostelries. On the contrary, 

 she accepts them, recognizes them as her 

 own; and her confidence is never betrayed. 



Her guide is instinct, which Instructs her 

 unerringly, within a very restricted circle; 

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