The Life of the Weevil 



by the adult insect in leaving. Why is this 

 portion left unscathed? What are the 

 reasons that safeguard the germ of the 

 exploited seed? 



It goes without saying that the Bruchus 

 does riot consider the gardener. The pea 

 is meant for it and none other. In refusing 

 to take the few bites which would entail the 

 death of the seed, it has no intention of 

 reducing the damage. It abstains from 

 other motives. 



Remark that the peas touch at the sides, 

 where they are pressed one against the other. 

 The grub seeking the point of attack cannot 

 move about at its ease. Remark also that 

 the lower pole rests upon the umbilical 

 excrescence and opposes to any attempt at 

 boring difficulties which do not exist in the 

 parts protected by the skin alone. It is even 

 possible that this umbilicus, which is dif- 

 ferently organized, contains special juices 

 distasteful to the little larva. 



This, beyond a doubt, is the secret of the 

 peas exploited by the Bruchus and yet 

 remaining fit to sprout. They are injured 

 but not dead, because they are invaded in 

 the free hemisphere, the part which is at 

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