The Life of the Weevil 
have no doubt long been chipping with the 
points of their mandibles, that patient chisel, 
at the hard wall. The exit-hole is just 
finished when I take note of the coming 
departure. AA fine dust is falling by way of 
shavings. 
The window of release is distinct from the 
narrow aperture of the entrance. Perhaps 
it will not do to obstruct this grating, which 
ventilates the house, while the grub is still 
at work. The window aforesaid is situated 
at the base of the fruit, close to the rough 
surface by which the nut adheres to its cupule. 
In this region, where the incipient materials 
are elaborated until the nut is perfectly ripe, 
the density is a little less than elsewhere. 
The point to be perforated is excellently 
chosen therefore: it is here that the least 
resistance will be encountered. 
Without any preliminary auscultation, 
without exploratory soundings, the recluse 
knows the weak point of his prison. Con- 
fident of success, he works away with a will. 
Where the first blow of the pick is struck 
the others follow; no time is wasted on ex- 
periments. Persistence is the strength of the 
weak. 
126 
