148 Mr. Lehmann's Obfervations on the CurcuUo TrifoUi. 



fizes, which of courfe pafled into their perfeft flate at different 

 periods from the middle of Auguft until the end of September. 



I preferved half a dozen of them in a flower-pot covered with 

 gauze, in which I had previoufly fown fome turnip feed. They 

 fed a little upon the cotyledons of this plant, but feemed not in- 

 chned to perform that duty which nature has impofed on them in 

 their perfedl ftate. On the contrary, they foon retired to a fecret 

 corner of their prifon above the earth, where they remained in a 

 quiefcent ftate ; and, after the firft cold nights in Odober, appeared 

 as if dead, but foon revived upon being brought into my warm 

 fludy. 



Few as thefe obfervations may appear, yet, added to your intereft- 

 ing difcovery, they may form an outline of the hiftory of this little 

 animal, which further and more accurate obfervations may com- 

 plete. 



Hatched between the calyces of the 'Trifolium pratenfe, the maggot 

 penetrates with its head into the rudiments of the firft feed, as yet 

 in a liquid ftate, and then proceeds to another more advanced and 

 fuitable to its increafed ftrength. Having confumed 3 or 4 of them, 

 it remains in the place of the laft, where it is fufticiently fheltered, 

 and changes like other weevils into the pupa or chryfalis ftate, 

 through the tranfparcnt fkin of which an experienced eye may 

 trace the different limbs of the future animal. After a few days 

 the infe6l comes forth in its imago or perfe6l ftate, at firft foft and 

 white, but foon changing to a fliining black colour, except the tibise 

 and firft joint of the antennae, which remain yellow. 



Having taken a fliort meal, it flowly conceals itfelf in the fmall 

 holes of fences, or in the bark of trees, where it repofes during the 

 winter, if fufticiently protedled from its numerous enemies. Few 

 however, happily, furvive; for it appears impoffible that many fliould 

 efcape the vigilance and dexterity of the wren, the ledbreaft, the 



nun. 



