242 



HALF HOUES WITH INSEQTS. [Packakd. 



into the hole in the portion of the branch beyond the cut, 

 and plugs up the opening behind it before the limb is broken 

 off by some strong wind and falls to the ground. 



But as I am alread}'- indebted to Dr. Fitch for most of the 

 facts regarding this intelligent insect, I will let him tell 

 them in his own words. 



"The worm being about half grown is now ready to cut 

 the limb asunder. But this is a most nice and critical oper- 

 ation, requiring much skill and calculation, for the limb 



Fig. 184. 



h 



Oak Pruner. 



must not break and fall w^hilst he is in the act of gnawing 

 it apart, or he will be crushed by being at the point where 

 it bends and tears. asunder, or will fall from the cavity there 

 when it breaks .open and separates. To avoid such casual- 

 ties, therefore, he must, after severing it, have time to -with- 

 draw himself back into his hole in the limb and plug the 

 opening behind him, before the limb breaks and falls. And 

 this little creature accordingly appears to be so much of a 

 philosopher as to understand the force of the winds and 

 their action upon the limbs of the tree, so that he can bring 

 them into his service. He accordingly severs the limb so 

 far that it will remain in its position until a strong gust of 

 wind strikes it, whereupon it will break off and fall. 



" But the most astonishing part of this feat remains to be 



18 



