The Cionus 
incapable of feeding a single grub in its fruit, 
which is too small for the purpose. The 
mother’s ineptitude has led to decadence; the 
perils of a wandering life have taken the 
place of a peaceful, sedentary existence. The 
species is on the high road to extinction. _ 
Again, we might argue as follows, at the 
outset, the Cionus had the scollop-leaved 
mullein as her portion; but, since the grubs 
do not thrive when thus installed, the mother 
is searching for a better means of setting 
them up in life. Gradual experiment will 
one day show her the way. From time to 
time, indeed, I find her on Vervascum maiale 
or Verbascum thapsus, both of which have 
large capsules; only she is there by accident, 
in the course of a trip, thinking of obtaining 
a good drink and not of laying her eggs. 
Sooner or later, the future will establish her 
there for the sake of her family. The species 
is in process of improvement. 
By dressing up the matter in uncouth 
phrases, calculated to conceal the vagueness 
of the thought behind them, we might repre- 
sent the Cionus as a magnificent example of 
the changes which the centuries bring about 
in the habits of insects. This would sound 
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