THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. 31 



to be compared in point of severity with that caused by the 

 hairs of the brown-tail moth caterpillar, Avhich is of a pecul- 

 iarly intense, burning character. So far as known to us, 

 no American insect can com})are with it in this respect, al- 

 though it is probably exceeded in severity by the urtication 

 caused by the processionary caterpillar of Europe ( Thcni- 

 metopcea processioned^ . 



In orchards where there are large numbers of brown-tail 

 moth cocoons, a lii>ht breeze is sufficient to waft the irritat- 

 ing hairs upon joassersby, with most annoying and painful 

 results. In investigating the habits of these caterpillars in 

 the field we were often severely nettled by the hairs, and 

 can testify that the intense irritation lasts for several weeks. 

 The principal suflerers from this feature of the caterpillar 

 outbreaks are women or children, who by necessity or habit 

 are often confined quite closely to badly infested estates. 

 Among these parties the suffering frequentl}' beggared de- 

 scription. 



Statements from Sufferers. 



Mrs. H. F. AVilliams, 213 Beacon Street, Somerville, 

 says : — 



We were shockingly poisouod by the caterpillars of the brown- 

 tail moth. They troubled us all summer. Every member of my 

 family was poisoned. At first we did not know what they were. 

 My little boy could not go near them without getting poisoned ; 

 every time he went to pick cherries he would come down from the 

 tree badly poisoned. If my baby went near where they were, his 

 face would break out into a rash. I was so dreadfully poisoned 

 that I thought I had some frightful disease. ]My hands, face, neck, 

 arms and limbs were broken out with this rash. Most of the cat- 

 erpillars we had in 1898 came from a neighbor's place. They came 

 over the fence, into the house and even into the closets. They 

 would get on clothes hung on the line, and when these were worn 

 they poisoned us. 



Mrs. E. L. Bailey, 21 :\Iedford Street, Maiden, writes: — 



I was badly poisoned on my neck and arms by the caterpillars. 

 At times I was nearly crazy with the itching and irritation causod 

 by the poison, and one of my children was affected in the same 

 way. 



