CHAPTER XI. 



RHYNCHOPHORA, OR WEEVILS. 



THESE terribly destructive insects do not attain any 

 great dimensions in England, but they make up for 

 their diminutive size by their enormous numbers. 

 How many species are known to inhabit this country 

 it is impossible to say, as new species especially 

 those of small size are continually being added to 

 our lists ; but if we say that about five hundred 

 British species are at present catalogued, we shall be 

 very near their number. 



The name Rhynchophora is formed from two Greek 

 words, signifying ' snout-bearer,' and is given to these 

 insects because the head is very much prolonged and 

 narrowed, in some species looking like the long 

 curved beak of the ibis or curlew. The mouth and 

 its accompanying organs are always at the end of 

 this beak, and in some species of Weevils the resem- 

 blance to the head and mouth of the Porcupine Ant- 

 eater of Australia is really startling. The name of 

 Tetramera, or ' four-jointed,' was formerly given to 

 this group, because its members appear to have only 

 four joints in the tarsi. Mr. Westwood, however, with 

 his wonted acuteness, pointed out that there were 

 really five joints, the missing joint being microscopic- 



