The Life of the Weevil 
wood and sturdy grasses, its habitual envi- 
ronment. When the handsome thistle with 
the blue spheres has long been mouldering on 
the edge of the roads, the carlina, with its 
rot-proof base, still stands erect, dead and 
brown but not dilapidated. Another ex- 
cellent quality is this: the scales of its heads 
contract and make a roof which the rain has 
difficulty in penetrating. 
In such a shelter there is no occasion to 
fear the dangers which make the Spotted 
Larinus quit her pitchers at the approach of 
winter: the dwelling is securely founded and 
the cell is dry. The Bear Larinus is well 
aware of these advantages; she is careful 
not to imitate the other in wintering under 
the cover of dead leaves and stone-heaps. 
She does not stir abroad, assured beforehand 
of the efficiency of her roof. 
On the roughest days of the year, in Janu- 
ary, if the weather permits me to go out, 
I open the heads of the carline thistles which 
I come across. I always find the Larinus 
there, in all the freshness of her striped 
costume. ‘She is waiting, benumbed, until 
the warmth and animation of May return. 
Then only will she break the dome of her 
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