The Life of the Weevil 
globular capsules of two asphodels (Aspho- 
delus luteus, LIN. and A. cerasiferus, GAY). 
The Weevil would have none of them. At 
most she dipped her rostrum into the green 
capsules of the yellow asphodel, the common 
Jacob’s staff. She tasted and then moved 
away. ‘The dish was not to her liking; and 
hunger was unable to overcome her obstinate 
disdain. She would die of starvation sooner 
.than touch victuals unhallowed by tradition. 
It goes without saying that I found 
nothing in the way of eggs on the corn-flag 
or the two asphodels. What the insect 
regards as unfit for its own consumption is 
a fortiori refused when the grub’s food is 
concerned. Nor was I any luckier with the 
various irises which I tried, the yellow iris 
excepted. Are we to attribute this refusal 
to the insect’s captivity? No, for the cap- 
sules of the yellow iris were colonized fairly 
well under my wire covers. The fact is that, 
as soon as the establishment of the family 
comes into question, the Weevil abstains 
entirely from anything that is contrary to 
habit and remains firmly faithful to the laws 
and customs of the ancients. In short, I 
have never found the Weevil established 
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