The Life of the Weevil 



Each for himself: such is the savage and 

 bestial law, even in a nutshell. 



The dwelling is a perfectly continuous 

 fortification, without a joint or fissure for an 

 invader to slip through. The walnut-tree 

 forms the shell of its fruit out of two halves 

 joined together, with a line of least resistance 

 left between them; the hazel makes its kegs 

 with a single stave, curved into an arch that 

 is equally strong at all points. How did the 

 grub of the Balaninus obtain access to this 

 fortress? 



On the surface, smooth as polished marble, 

 the eye perceives nothing to explain the 

 entrance of an exploiter from without. One 

 can picture the surprise and the artless ima- 

 ginings of those who first remarked the 

 peculiar contents of the intact nut, without 

 any sort of opening to it. The plump mag- 

 got, living inside it, could not be an alien. 

 It was therefore born of the fruit itself, 

 under the influence of an unlucky moon. It 

 was a child of putrefaction hatched by a mist. 



A faithful custodian of the ancient beliefs, 

 the peasant of to-day always attributes mag- 

 goty nuts and other fruits spoiled by insects 

 to the moon and a passing miasma. And 



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