The drill is applied to the surface and rotated for hours; then, very often, the insect departs, disdaining the result of her work.

Why such protracted efforts?
Was the beetle piercing the fruit merely to obtain drink and refreshment?
Was the beak thrust into the depths of the base merely to obtain, from the choicer parts, a few sips of nutritious sap?
Was the whole undertaking merely a matter of personal nourishment?
At first I believed this to be the solution, though surprised at the display of so much perseverance rewarded by the merest sip.

The behaviour of the males, however, forced me to abandon this idea.

They also possess the long beak, and could readily make such perforations if they wished; yet I have never seen one take up his stand upon an acorn and work at it with his augur.

Then why this fruitless labour?
A mere nothing suffices these abstemious creatures.