The Nut-Weevil 



Heaven forbid — should allow himself to be 

 beguiled by her, let him remember my warn- 

 ing: in exchange for the little secrets which 

 she reveals to us, she demands much graver 

 sacrifices than a handful of nuts." 



The prohibition is understood; the tempt- 

 ing fruit is left almost untouched. For my 

 part, I inspect the nuts assiduously. All my 

 trouble is unavailing: I do not succeed in 

 surprising a Balaninus engaged in her patient 

 task of boring. At the utmost, at sunset, I 

 happen to see one who, hoisted to her full 

 height, is trying to insert her drill. The 

 little that I observe teaches me nothing new; 

 the Acorn-weevil has already shown me as 

 much. 



In any case, it is only a brief attempt. 

 The insect is casting about and has not yet 

 found what suits her. Perhaps the per- 

 forator of hazel-nuts works at night. 



In another respect I have been more 

 fortunate. Some nuts, some of the first 

 colonized, are laid by in my study and sub- 

 jected to frequent inspections. My diligence 

 is rewarded with success. 



At the beginning of August, two larvae 

 leave their coffers before my eyes. They 

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