The Nut-Weevil 
a feature common to the Weevil tribe, all 
of whom are inveterate stay-at-homes in 
their larval stage. Such is the hermit whose 
history follows below, the anchorite with the 
sleek and rounded rump, the larva of the 
Nut-weevil (Balaninus nucum, Lin.). 
The kernel of the hazel-nut is its cake, an 
abundant provision, which it never or but 
very seldom finishes entirely, so greatly do 
the victuals exceed the utmost requirements 
of obesity. There is plenty to enable one 
alone to live comfortably for three or four 
weeks; but it would mean short commons for 
two. And so the victuals are scrupulously 
rationed: to each nut its grub, no more. 
I have happened on very rare occasions 
to find two. The late-comer, the offspring 
of some ill-informed mother, had seated it- 
self at table beside the other, without much 
profit to itself. There was not much left 
of the cake; moreover, the still feeble 
intruder seemed to have had a bad reception 
from the powerful and jealous owner of the 
property. There was no doubt about it: the 
superfluous weakling was doomed to perish. 
The Weevil knows no more of mutual aid 
among kinsmen than the Rat in the cheese. 
Ig 
