The Elephant Weevil 
What is the use of this stubborn perseverance 
when, near the stalk, at the cost of much less 
time and labour, the bradawl would reach 
the desired point, the running spring whereat 
the nascent grub is to slake its thirst? The 
mother has her reasons for going to all this 
trouble: by so doing she reaches the regular 
spot, the base of the acorn, and by this very 
action—a most valuable result—prepares a 
long tube of meal for her son. 
These are all trivialities! Not so, if you 
please: matters of great importance rather, 
telling us of the infinite cares that preside 
over the preservation of the least of things 
and bearing witness to a higher logic which 
regulates the smallest details. 
The Weevil, so happily inspired as a 
breeder, has her place in the world and is 
worthy of consideration. So at least thinks 
the Blackbird, who gladly makes a meal of 
the long-beaked insect when the berries begin 
to run short at the end of autumn. It is a 
small mouthful but a tasty one; and it makes 
a pleasant change after the bitterness of the 
olive that still resists the cold. 
And what were the reawakening of the 
woods in spring, without the Blackbird and 
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