40 THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. 



the surface of the pupa after the last molt ; and when the 

 moth emerges and works its way out through the cocoon, 

 more of these nettling spines are dislodged from it or from 

 the molted skin and become entangled among the scales 

 of the moth. This will explain the une(iual distribution of 

 these spines over the surface of the moths, and the reason 

 why some possess the nettling properties much more than 

 others. There is nothing in the structure of any of the 

 scales or hairs on any part of the body or wings of these 

 moths that could cause them to produce any nettling sensa- 

 tion. 



Fallacies about the Insects. 



As might be expected, many false notions prevail con- 

 cerninfr the manner in which the insects cause the so-called 

 poisoning. These fallacies are not confined to the average 

 citizen, for even physicians, arguing from analogy, no doubt, 

 have fallen occasionally into error on this point. It may 

 be well to state, once for all, that the caterpillars do not 

 sting, since nature has wisely denied them the api)aratus 

 for stinging, as that term is connnonly understood ; that 

 they do not bite, for they have no beak such as is possessed 

 by the mosfjuito or bedbug, while, from the anatomy of their 

 tiny, blunt jaws, it would be im})ossible for them to cut 

 through the human skin : that they do not eject a baleful 

 venom, foi- they have neither the venom nor the means for 

 ejerting it. Lacking all these attributes dear to tlie popu- 

 lar fancy, these insects, with their brittle, barbed hairs ap- 

 plied in allectionate contact to the human epidermis, still 

 possess a means for making one truly long for a place 

 " where moth and rust doth not corrupt." 



Remedies. 



The iiijiiiy lo the skin being a mechanical one, remedies 

 must be sought among those niati-rials wliieli sot'U'ii the skin 

 and aiil in the I'xpulsion of the hairs. Of these, vaseline 

 and sweet oil :ire among the best. Alcohol has been used 

 with success, at least in giving temporary relief, while the 

 sani(! is true of the numerous coal-tar disinfectants now on 

 tile iiijirUet. So prevalent is the dermatitis from the cater- 



