The Sloe-Weevil 



result of my perfidy, they obstinately refused 

 to bore any farther. The gummy barrier 

 stopped them short; and it is not their habit 

 to seek their freedom in another direction. 

 Away from the bare floor, the bottom of 

 the crater, they would infallibly come upon 

 the pulp, which is no less detestable than the 

 gum. In short, of the collection of larvae 

 subjected to my stratagems, not one has 

 thriven; the sealing with gum has been fatal 

 to them. 



This result puts an end to my hesitations : 

 the cone set up in the centre of the pit is 

 necessary to the existence of the grub seques- 

 tered in the stone. Its tunnel is a ventila- 

 ting-shaft. 



Each species certainly possesses its peculiar 

 method of maintaining a connection with the 

 outside world, when the larva lives under 

 conditions in which the renewal of the air 

 would be too difficult or even impossible if 

 no precautions were taketa. Generally, a 

 fissure, a corridor, more or less unobstructed 

 and the usual work of the grub, is enough 

 to ventilate the dwelling. Sometimes it is 

 the mother herself who sees to these hy- 

 gienic requirements; and then the method 

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