126 THE GYPSY MOTH. 



Mirrors are also useful in reflecting sunlight into the holes and 

 cavities of trees and rocks, so as to determine whether or not 

 the eggs are hidden within these recesses. Occasionally hol- 

 lows in the under surfaces of high limbs are inspected from the 

 ground by the combined use of the opera and hand glasses, 

 the hand glass throwing the light into the hollow, and the 

 opera glass enabling the inspector to determine its contents. 

 During the spring of 1891 the egg-clusters, being then 

 very numerous, were found in almost every conceivable 

 situation. They were deposited on the under surface of 

 steps, under piazzas, floors, beneath the baseboards of fences, 

 in hollow fence posts, in sheds, out-buildings, cisterns, con- 

 ductors, ventilators, basements, cellars, chimneys and many 

 other places both within and without dwellings. Their num- 

 bers in many such pla<'es were so great that it was deemed 

 unsafe to allow them to hatch, lest the caterpillars should 

 prove very destructive before their ravages could be stayed. 

 _ Boards were therefore removed 



from fences, steps and buildings, 

 and this work required the use of 

 such implements as crow-bars, 

 pinch- bars and hammers. Dark 

 lanterns were frequently required 

 FiQ. 6. Cleaning knives. j^ ccllars, uudcr piazzas and in 



barns. Special knives with blades bent at diflerent angles 

 were made for removing the eggs from the recesses of fences 

 and trees. With the aid of such implements most of the 

 hidden eggs were found and destroyed. 



The Destruction of Cateepillars. 

 When the larvee first emerge from the eggs, they usually 

 remain for several hours on the outside of the egg-cluster, 

 or if the weather becomes cold or stormy, for two or three 

 days. While in this position they may be quickly destroyed 

 by the flame of a naphtha burner or by an application of 

 creosote or kerosene. 



Banding Trees. 

 After the eggs on trees have been destroyed, the young 

 caterpillars which hatch elsewhere may be kept from ascend- 



