The Life of the Weevil 
What becomes of the items removed? 
Are they thrown to the ground as inconve- 
nient rubbish? The tiny creature is careful 
not to do anything of the kind, which would 
mean exposing its plump back, a small but 
enticing morsel, to the eyes of the foe. 
Pushed back, the materials cleared away 
remain intact, still clustered together in their 
natural position. Not a flake, not a chip 
falls to earth. By means of a quick-setting, 
rain-proof glue, the whole of the fragments 
detached are cemented to the base in a conti- 
nuous sheaf, so that the blossom is kept in- 
tact, save for the yellowish tint of the parts 
wounded. As the grub increases in size, 
more florets are cut away and take their 
place, beside the others, in the roof, which 
swells by degrees and ends by bulging out. 
Thus a quiet dwelling is obtained, shel- 
tered from wind and weather and the heat of 
the sun. Within, the hermit sips at his cask 
in safety; he waxes big and fat. I suspected 
it, that the larva would be able to make up 
by its own industry for the rough and ready 
installation of the egg! Where maternal 
care is lacking, the grub possesses special 
talents as a safeguard. 
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