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to bring before the Society, with the hope that some members might 
be induced to carry it further than he had done at present, and to show 
to lepidopterists that there was much in the economy and physiology 
of their branch of study worthy of being critically examined. 
Mr. WonFoR rendered the subject more attractive by availing , 
himself of chalk and a black board in order the better to illustrate 
many of his remarks. 
In the discussion that ensued, the PRESIDENT (Mr. Haselwood) 
asked, if the irritation caused by the hairs were merely mechanical, 
how it was that all persons were not equally affected by it? He 
suggested that the irritation could hardly be caused by mechanical 
action, but was rather the result of a poison communicated in a fluid 
state. 
Mr. WONFOR, in support of his theory, that the pain was caused 
by the sharp point of the hair, repeated what he had stated with regard 
to the dried hairs found in old cocoons still retaining their urticating 
properties. 
A suggestion having been made in support of the PRESIDENT’s 
view, to the effect that the dried fluid in the hairs of old cocoons might 
become liquified by the blood or even perspiration, Mr. Wonfor said 
the sting-nettle, the irritation caused by which was known to bea fluid, 
did not affect all alike ; and he remembered also that he had ex- 
perienced similar pains from the points of sponges, which had been 
boiled in acids and so thoroughly well-washed that it was almost 
impossible for any fluid to remain in them. 
Regarding the destructiveness of caterpillars, Mr. C. F. DENNET 
alluded to the ravages which were made by one species among the 
cotton crops in the Southern States of America. He thought that Mr. 
Wonfor deserved great credit for the attention which he had given toa 
matter so interesting and important, though regarded as being other- 
wise by many people. In reply to this gentleman, 
Mr. WoNFOR subsequently explained that caterpillars changed 
their skin several times, and that they were devoured by certain birds, 
such as sparrows. A hint that the irritating properties of the hairs of 
these animals might be protective, was thrown out by the Chairman, 
Mr. Wonfor remarked that since, according to Kirby, small doses of 
