The Cionus 



We see the grub's little black head rising 

 and falling, swerving this way and that and 

 from time to time gathering with its mandi- 

 bles, at the door of the intestine, a particle 

 of cement, which is instantly placed in 

 position and meticulously smoothed. So the 

 interior of the hut is plastered, point after 

 point, by small touches. Lest I should not 

 see clearly through the wall, I cut off the top 

 of a bladder, partly uncovering the larva. 

 The work is continued without much hes- 

 itation. The strange method is revealed 

 as plainly as one could wish. The grub 

 makes use of its behind as a store of con- 

 solidating cement; the end of the intestine 

 serves as the equivalent of the hod from 

 which the bricklayer takes his trowelful of 

 mortar. 



This original mode of procedure is famil- 

 iar to me. At one time, a big Weevil, the 

 Spotted Larinus, inhabiting the blue-headed 

 globe-thistle (Echinops Ritro), enabled me to 

 witness a similar method. The Larinus also 

 expels its own cement. With the tips of its 

 mandibles it gathers it from the evacuating 

 orifice, applying it with strict economy. 

 Moreover it has other materials at its dis- 

 325 



