‘The Poplar-Weevil 
in the business? Does he ever feel inclined 
to lend a helping hand in case of need? 
One would say so. From time to time I 
see him take his stand behind his industrious 
mate, in the furrow of the fold, hang on to 
the cylinder and join in the work for a little. 
But it is done listlessly and awkwardly. A 
bare half-turn of the wheel; and that’s 
enough for him. After all, it is not his 
affair. He moves away, to the other end of 
the leaf; he waits, he looks on. 
We will give him credit for this attempt, 
since paternal assistance in settling the family 
is rare among insects; we will congratulate 
him on the help which he gives, but not to 
excess: his assistance is interested. It is a 
means of declaring his flame and urging his 
merits. 
And in fact, after several refusals not- 
withstanding the advances made during a 
brief collaboration on the cylinder, the 
impatient suitor is accepted. Everything 
takes place on the site of the female’s 
labours. For ten minutes or so, the rolling 
is suspended, but the worker’s legs, violently 
contracted, are very careful not to let go: 
153 
