The Iris-Weevil 



science of antiquity prescribed for certain 

 affections of the eyes. Its sword-shaped 

 leaves bear some resemblance to those of the 

 yellow iris. Ours, therefore, is the false 

 acorus, a deceptive image of the famous 

 medicinal plant. 



As for the one nail, this is explained by 

 the tarsi, the insect's six fingers, each of 

 which is armed with a single claw instead 

 of the usual two. This strange exception 

 certainly deserved to be pointed out; all the 

 same, any one must prefer Iris-weevil to 

 Mononychus pseudo-acori. Neglecting all 

 pomp and ostentation, the everyday name 

 does not topsy-turvify the mind and makes 

 straight for the insect. 



In June, I pluck some stems of yellow iris 

 surmounted by their bunch of capsules, which 

 are already large and keep fresh and green 

 for a long time. The exploiting Weevil 

 goes with them. In captivity, under the 

 trellis-work of a wire-gauze cover, the work 

 proceeds just as it does beside the brook. 

 Most of the insects, singly or in groups, 

 stand at convenient points. With their 

 rostrum plunged into the green hull, they 

 sip and sup indefinitely. When they retire 

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