The Life of the Weevil 
that there was nothing to predict them. The 
course to be followed here seems indeed so 
very simple. 
Since the rolled leaves are at the same 
time board and lodging, we have but to pick 
them, from the vine and the poplar respect- 
ively, and to place them in the glass Jars, 
whence we can take them at such times as 
we consider suitable. What used to be 
effected in the open air, amid the disturbances 
of the atmosphere, will be effected all the 
better in the peaceful shelter of the glass. 
There can be no doubt, therefore, of an easy 
success. 
But what is this? From time to time I 
unroll a few cigars to ascertain the state of 
their contents. What I see fills me with 
anxiety for the fate of my baby-farm. The 
young larve are very far from thriving. I 
find some of them languishing and emaciated, 
shrivelling into a wrinkled ball; I find some 
of them dead. Vainly I possess myself in 
patience: the weeks go by and not one of 
my grubs grows or gives a sign of energy. 
From day to day my two colonies dwindle 
until they consist wholly of dying larve. 
164 
