But my interest is now awakened.  On calm days, more favourable to the entomologist, I return to the woods, and I soon have sufficient insects to people my laboratory cages.  Foreseeing a serious difficulty in the slowness with which the beetle labours, I prefer to study them indoors, with the unlimited leisure only to be found in one’s own home.

The precaution is fortunate.  If I had tried to continue as I began, and to observe the Balaninus in the liberty of the woods, I should never, even with the greatest good fortune, have had the patience to follow to the end the choice of the acorn, the boring of the hole, and the laying of the eggs, so meticulously deliberate is the insect in all its affairs; as the reader will soon be able to judge.

Three species of oak-tree compose the copse inhabited by the Balaninus:  the evergreen oak and the pubescent oak, which would become fine trees if the woodman would give them time, and the kermes oak, a mere scrubby bush.  The first species, which is the most abundant of the three, is that preferred by the Balaninus.  The acorn is firm, elongated, and of moderate size; the cup is covered with little warts.  The acorns of the pubescent oak are usually stunted, short, wrinkled, and fluted, and subject to premature fall.  The aridity of the hills of Serignan is unfavourable to them.  The Acorn-beetles accept them only in default of something better.

The kermes, a dwarf oak, a ridiculous tree which a man can jump over, surprises me by the wealth of its acorns, which are large, ovoidal growths, the cup being covered with scales.  The Balaninus could not make a better choice; the acorn affords a safe, strong dwelling and a capacious storehouse of food.

A few twigs from these three trees, well provided with acorns, are arranged under the domes of some of my wire-gauze covers, the ends being plunged into a glass of water which will keep them fresh.  A suitable number of couples are then introduced into the cages; and the latter are placed at the windows of my study, where they obtain the direct sunlight for the greater part of the day.  Let us now arm ourselves with patience, and keep a constant watch upon events.  We shall be rewarded; the exploitation of the acorn deserves to be seen.

Matters do not drag on for very long.  Two days after these preparations I arrive at the precise moment when the task is commenced.  The mother, larger than the male, and equipped with a longer drill, is inspecting her acorn, doubtless with a view to depositing her eggs.

She goes over it step by step, from the point to the stem, both above and below.  On the warty cup progression is easy; over the rest of the surface it would be impossible, were not the soles of her feet shod with adhesive pads, which enable her to retain her hold in any position.  Without the least uncertainty of footing, the insect walks with equal facility over the top or bottom or up the sides of the slippery fruit.