252 SOCIAL LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD 



To the meritorious role of regaling the blackbird, the 

 minstrel of the forest, the Balaninus adds another — that 

 of moderating the superfluity of vegetation. Like all 

 the mighty who are worthy of their strength, the oak is 

 generous ; it produces acorns by the bushel. What 

 could the earth do with such prodigality ? The forest 

 would stifle itself for want of room ; excess would ruin 

 the necessary. 



But no sooner is this abundance of food produced 

 than there is an influx from every side of consumers only 

 too eager to abate this inordinate production. The field- 

 mouse, a native of the woods, stores acorns in a gravel- 

 heap near its hay-lined nest. A stranger, the jay, comes 

 in flocks from far away, warned I know not how. For 

 some weeks it flies feasting from oak to oak, giving 

 vent to its joys and its emotions in a voice like that of a 

 strangling cat ; then, its mission accomplished, it returns 

 to the North whence it came. 



The Balaninus has anticipated them all. The mother 

 confided her eggs to the acorns while yet they w^ere green. 

 These have now fallen to earth, brown before their time, 

 and pierced by a round hole through which the larva has 

 escaped after devouring the contents. Under one single 

 oak a basket might easily be filled with these ruined 

 shells. More than the jay, more than the field-mouse, 

 the elephant-beetle has contributed to reduce the super- 

 fluity of acorns. 



Presently man arrives, busied in the interest of his pig. 

 In my village it is quite an important event when the 

 municipal hoardings announce the day for opening the 

 municipal woods for the gathering of acorns. The more 

 zealous visit the woods the day before and select the best 



