The Life of the Weevil 



her at work, you need but inspect the lower 

 twigs of the common black poplar, at the 

 edge of the meadows, about the end of May. 



While, overhead, spring's caressing 

 breezes stir the majestic green distaff and set 

 the leaves quivering on their flat stalks, down 

 below, in a layer of calmer air, this year's 

 tender shoots remain quiescent. Here above 

 all, far from the wind-tossed heights uncon- 

 genial to the industrious, the Rhynchites 

 labours. And, as the workshop is just at a 

 man's height, nothing is more easy than to 

 watch the roller's actions. 



Easy, yes, but distressing, under a blazing 

 sun, if you wish to follow the insect in every 

 detail of its method and the progress of its 

 work. Moreover, this involves long jour- 

 neys, which take up time; and again it is none 

 too favourable to precise observations, which 

 demand indefinite leisure and assiduous 

 inspections at all hours of the day. It is 

 greatly preferable to pursue our studies in the 

 comfort of our own home; but it is above all 

 things necessary that the insect should lend 

 itself to our plan. 



The Rhynchites fulfils this condition 

 140 



