104 
limestone of Derbyshire, the chalk downs of Sussex, and the bed of 
the Atlantic Ocean all represented the same kind of organic formation, 
while the clefts in chalk corresponded with the caves of the mountain 
limestone. 
Mr. HOWELL thought the so-called flint in one of the specimens 
produced was more like the chert which they met with in Sussex. 
Though not in his opinion flint, it helped to bear out the analogy traced 
by Mr. Wonfor. 
The paper was illustrated by maps, drawings, photographs, and 
specimens, and by chemical experiments, showing the action of car- 
bonic gas on lime, &c. 
JULY 23RD. 
MICROSCOPICAL MEETING.—MR. T. W. WONFOR ON 
: THE HAIRS OF CATERPILLARS. 
If either works on the microscope or on entymology were consulted, 
very little, if any, information could be obtained on the hairs of cater- 
pillars or larve, either as regarded their structure or the variety and 
beauty of their forms ; but here and there a few words might be found 
upon the urticating or stinging properties of the hairs of some cater- 
pillars. 
This urticating property was noticed in very early days, for 
according to Pliny,* the Cornelian law, De Sicariis, was extended to 
those persons who administered the hairs of the fir moth, Cw. 
Pityocampa, and which were supposed to be a very deleterious poison. 
Even when applied externally they occasioned a very intense degree 
of pain, itching, fever, and restlessness. 
Occasionally allusion was made to other members of the same 
family, as possessing similar disagreeable effects, viz., Cv. pinzvora, 
stone pine moth, and Cx. processionea, the processionary moth, the 
last named so called on account of the habits of the larve, when 
moving in the evening in search of their food. One caterpillar led 
* Hist, Nat., I., xxxviii., cap. 9, 
