v RHYNCHOPHORA CURCULIONIDAE 293 



to the roll, and with the other legs drags to it the portion of the 

 leaf on the other side of the midrib so as to wrap this part (i.e. 

 the result of its second incision) round the part of the funnel 

 already constructed. This being done the Insect again enters 

 the funnel, bites three or four small cavities on the inside of the 

 leafy wall and deposits an egg in each. Afterwards it emerges- 

 and fits the overlaps together in a more perfect manner so as to 

 somewhat contract the funnel and make it firmer ; then proceeding 

 to the tip, this is operated on by another series of engineering 

 processes and made to close the orifice ; this part of the opera- 

 tion being analogous to the closing by the grocer of his paper- 

 funnel after the sugar has been put in. The operation of the 

 beetle is, however, much more complex, for it actually makes a 

 sort of second small funnel of the tip of the leaf, bends this in, and 

 retains it by tucking in some little projections. The work, which 

 has probably lasted about an hour, being now completed, the creature 

 takes a longer or shorter rest before commencing another funnel. 

 We have given only a sketch of the chief points of the work, 

 omitting reference to smaller artifices of the craft master ; but 

 we may remark that the curved incisions made by the beetle 

 have been examined by mathematicians and duly extolled as 

 being conducted on highly satisfactory mathematical principles. 

 It is impossible at present for us to form any conception as to the 

 beetle's conceptions in carrying out this complex set of operations. 

 Our perplexity is increased if we recollect its life-history, for we 

 then see that neither precept or example can have initiated its 

 proceedings, and that imitation is out of the question. The eggs 

 hatch in their dark place, giving rise to an eyeless maggot, 

 which ultimately leaves the funnel for the earth. The parts of 

 this maggot subsequently undergo complete change to produce 

 the motionless pupa of entirely different form, from which 

 emerges the perfect Insect. Hence the beetle cannot be con- 

 sidered to have ever seen a funnel, and certainly has never 

 witnessed the construction of one, though, when disclosed, it 

 almost immediately sets to work to make funnels on the complex 

 and perfect system we have so imperfectly described. More 

 general considerations only add to the perplexity we must feel 

 when reflecting on this subject. Why does the Insect construct 

 the funnel at all ? As a matter of protection it appears to be 

 of little use, for the larvae are known to suffer from the attacks 



