The Sloe-Weevil 



the central cone. If there is a copious 

 eruption, the gum will fill the ringed space, 

 but at least it will not cover the spot where 

 the egg lies. The tall, insubmersible obelisk 

 is therefore a most ingeniously-contrived 

 defensive structure. 



This obelisk is hollow along its axis. We 

 have seen it serving as a lift for the rubbish 

 which the young grub throws out when 

 deepening its natal basin and converting it 

 into a passage which gives access to the 

 kernel. But this is a very secondary func- 

 tion; it has another of greater importance. 



Every egg breathes. In its cup with the 

 sawdust mattress, the Weevil's egg needs a 

 supply of air, a very moderate supply, no 

 doubt, but it must have some. Through the 

 passage in its conical roof the air reaches it 

 and is renewed, even if bad luck has filled 

 the crater with gum. 



Every living creature breathes. The 

 maggot has entered the stone of the fruit 

 by making an opening such as our finest 

 drills could not equal for precision. It is 

 now in a sealed casket, an air-tight barrel, 

 tarred, moreover, with gummy pulp. Yet 

 it must have air, even more than the egg. 

 217 



