The Iris-Weevil 
science of antiquity prescribed for certain 
affections of the eyes. Its sword-shaped 
leaves bear some resemblance to those of the 
yellow iris. Ours, therefore, is the false 
acorus, a deceptive image of the famous 
medicinal plant. 
As for the one nail, this is explained by 
the tarsi, the insect’s six fingers, each of 
which is armed with a single claw instead 
of the usual two. This strange exception 
certainly deserved to be pointed out; all the 
same, any one must prefer Iris-weevil to 
Mononychus pseudo-acori. Neglecting all 
pomp and ostentation, the everyday name 
does not topsy-turvify the mind and makes 
straight for the insect. 
In June, I pluck some stems of yellow iris 
surmounted by their bunch of capsules, which 
are already large and keep fresh and green 
for a long time. The exploiting Weevil 
goes with them. In captivity, under the 
trellis-work of a wire-gauze cover, the work 
proceeds just as it does beside the brook. 
Most of the insects, singly or in groups, 
stand at convenient points. With their 
rostrum plunged into the green hull, they 
sip and sup indefinitely. When they retire 
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