The Iris-Weevil 



and adult. Each of the three cells of the 

 fruit contains a row of some fifteen seeds, 

 flat and pressed tightly one against the other. 

 The grub's portion consists of three conti- 

 guous seeds. The one in the middle Is 

 entirely consumed, excepting the husk, which 

 Is too tough; the two at either end are 

 simply bitten Into. The result is a house 

 with three rooms, the central one shaped 

 like a ring, the two outer ones dug cup-wise. 



With its fift^rt seeds, each compartment 

 of the fruit is therefore able to shelter five 

 larvse at most, providing them with a fitting 

 ration and a detached villa which does not 

 interfere with the neighbours. However, on 

 the back of the capsule, we count, for each 

 cell, about twenty perforations, the edge of 

 which Is marked by a little wart either of 

 gum or of some brown substance. These 

 are so many soundings made by the Wee- 

 vil's rostrum. 



Some of these have to do with the feeding: 

 they are the refreshment-bars at which the 

 colonists of the capsule have taken a snack. 

 The others relate to the laying of the eggs 

 and the placing of them, one by one. In the 

 midst of the victuals. Outwardly, there is 

 297 



