In the "Schoeffer" book the holes are probably the work of Anobium
pertinax, because the centre is spared and both ends attacked.
Originally, real wooden boards were the covers of the volume,
and here, doubtless, the attack was commenced, which was carried
through each board into the paper of the book.
I remember well my first visit to the Bodleian Library,
in the year 1858, Dr. Bandinel being then the librarian.
He was very kind, and afforded me every facility for examining
the fine collection of "Caxtons," which was the object of my journey.
In looking over a parcel of black-letter fragments, which had been
in a drawer for a long time, I came across a small grub, which,
without a thought, I threw on the floor and trod under foot.
Soon after I found another, a fat, glossy fellow, so long ---,
which I carefully preserved in a little paper box, intending to
observe his habits and development. Seeing Dr. Bandinel near,
I asked him to look at my curiosity. Hardly, however, had I turned
the wriggling little victim out upon the leather-covered table,
when down came the doctor's great thumb-nail upon him,
and an inch-long smear proved the tomb of all my hopes,
while the great bibliographer, wiping his thumb on his coat sleeve,
passed on with the remark, "Oh, yes! they have black heads sometimes.
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