iyp Method of dt-Jlroylng InfcBs. 



lime, newly made, and two parts of a faturated folution of 

 fixed alkali in water, and thence obtained a fomewhat milky 

 liquor fufficiently cauftic, highly hoftile and poiibnous to 

 earth-worms and other {mall animals; for, as foon as it 

 touched any part of their bodies, it occafioned in them vio- 

 lent fymptoms of great uneafinefs. If this liquor be poured 

 into thofe holes in which the earth-worms refide under 

 ground, they immediately throw themfelves out as if driven 

 by fome force; and, after various contortions, either lan- 

 guifh or die. If the leaves of plants or fruit-trees, fre- 

 quented by the voracious caterpillars, which are fo deftruc- 

 tive to them, be fprinkled over with this liquor, thefe infects 

 fuddenly contra 61 their bodies and drop to the ground. For 

 though nature has defended them tolerably well by their 

 hairy fkins from any thing that might injure their delicate 

 bodies, yet, as foon as they touch with their feet or mouths 

 leaves which have been moiftened by this liquor, they be- 

 come as it were ftupefied, initantly contract themfelves, and 

 fall down. 



J had not an opportunity of trying a like experiment on 

 locufts : yet we may conclude, and not without probability, 

 from their nature, and the general deftruelive qualities of 

 the above liquor, that they, in the like manner, may be 

 driven from corn-fields, if it be poffible to fprinkle the corn 

 with the liquor by means of a machine. 



With reoardto plants or corn, thefe fuftain no injur)' from 

 the liquor, becaufe it has no power over the productions of 

 the vegetable kingdom, as I have fully learned from expe- 

 rience ; or, if any hurt is to be fulpceted, all the danger will 

 be removed by the firft fhower that falls. This liquor may 

 be procured in abundance in every place where lime is burnt. 

 If the lime be frefh, one part of it infufed in about feventy 

 parts of common water will produce real Jime-water. The 

 want of the fixed alkali may be fupplied by boiling wood- 

 ailies in water, and thickening the lye by evaporation. 



This liquoi might be employed alio to kill bugs and other 



domeftic 



