The Life of the Weevil 
a niggardly centaury (Centaurea aspera, 
Lin.), with ragged heads, smaller than the 
tip of one’s little finger, trailing on the 
ground; we see her founding colonies on the 
various thistles beloved of the Spangled 
Larinus, even on Kentrophyllum lanatum. 
Her botanical knowledge of plants so dis- 
similar gives us food for reflection. 
As a Weevil, she recognizes very clearly, 
without resorting to tests, what is artichoke- 
heart and what is not, what suits her off- 
spring and what would harm it; and I, as a 
naturalist, versed by assiduous practice in the 
flora of my district, would not dare, without 
prudent enquiries, to bite into this or that 
fruit or berry were I suddenly transported 
to another country. 
She is born with her knowledge; and I 
have to learn. Every summer, with superb 
audacity, she goes from her thistle to various 
others which, having no similarity of appear- 
ance, ought, one would think, to be rejected 
as suspicious hostelries. On the contrary, 
she accepts them, recognizes them as her 
own; and her confidence is never betrayed. 
Her guide is instinct, which instructs her 
unerringly, within a very restricted circle; 
86 
