The Life of the Weevil 



globular capsules of two asphodels (Aspho- 

 dclus luteus, LIN. and A. cerasiferus, GAY). 

 The Weevil would have none of them. At 

 most she dipped her rostrum into the green 

 capsules of the yellow asphodel, the common 

 Jacob's staff. She tasted and then moved 

 away. The dish was not to her liking; and 

 hunger was unable to overcome her obstinate 

 disdain. She would die of starvation sooner 

 than touch victuals unhallowed by tradition. 

 It goes without saying that I found 

 nothing in the way of eggs on the corn-flag 

 or the two asphodels. What the insect 

 regards as unfit for its own consumption is 

 a fortiori refused when the grub's food is 

 concerned. Nor was I any luckier with the 

 various irises which I tried, the yellow iris 

 excepted. Are we to attribute this refusal 

 to the insect's captivity? No, for the cap- 

 sules of the yellow iris were colonized fairly 

 well under my wire covers. The fact is that, 

 as soon as the establishment of the family 

 comes into question, the Weevil abstains 

 entirely from anything that is contrary to 

 habit and remains firmly faithful to the laws 

 and customs of the ancients. In short, I 

 have never found the Weevil established 

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