The Elephant Weevil 



is the Weevil's favourite. Its acorns are 

 firm, long in shape and moderate in size; the 

 cup is covered with little warts. Those of 

 the durmast oak are generally stunted, short, 

 wrinkled and subject to premature falls. 

 The dryness of the Serignan hills does not 

 suit them. The Weevil therefore accepts 

 them only in the absence of something better. 



The humility of the kermes, a dwarf shrub, 

 a truly comic oak, which a man can step over 

 at a stride, is contrasted by the wealth of 

 its acorns, which are large, swelling ovoids, 

 set in a cup bristling with sharp scales. The 

 Weevil could not have a better home. It 

 forms a strong dwelling and a copious store- 

 house. 



I place a few sprigs from these three oaks, 

 well-furnished with acorns, under the dome 

 of my wire-gauze covers, with their ends 

 dipped in a tumbler of water to keep them 

 fresh; I install a suitable number of couples; 

 lastly, I stand the cages on the window-sills 

 of my study, where they get the direct sun- 

 light for the greater part of the day. Let 

 us now possess our souls in patience and keep 

 a constant watch. We shall be rewarded. 

 The exploitation of the acorn is worth seeing. 

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