The Balaninus abandons its work and solemnly retires, disappearing among the withered leaves.

For the day there is nothing more to be learned.
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.