The Sloe-Weevil 
rises the cone of brown pulp, pierced 
throughout its length by a fine channel, which 
is sometimes free and sometimes half 
obstructed. 
The structure of the work tells us how 
the operation is conducted. In the fleshy 
layer of the sloe the mother, eating the sub- 
stance, or discarding it if there be more than 
her appetite calls for, first makes a pit with 
perpendicular walls and lays a suitable 
surface of the stone absolutely bare. Then, 
in the centre of this area, she chases with 
her graver a little cup sinking half-way 
through the thickness of the shell. Here, 
on a soft bed of raspings, the egg is laid. 
Lastly, as a defensive device, the mother 
erects above the cup and its contents a 
pointed roof, a cone of pulp obtained from 
the walls of the pit. 
The insect works very well in captivity, if 
‘given plenty of space, sunlight and a twig 
covered with sloes. It is easy to watch the 
proceedings of the egg-laying mother; but 
the result of diligent observation amounts 
to very little. 
Almost the whole day, the mother remains 
clinging to one spot on the fruit, motionless, 
2it 
