The Stinging Power 



not be extracted once it has gone in? With 

 their barbs, do they enter all the more deeply 

 because of the quivering of the outraged flesh? 

 There is no ground for believing anything of 

 the kind. In vain do I scrutinize the injured 

 spot through the magnifying-glass; I can see 

 no sign of the implanted dart. Neither could 

 Reaumur, when an encounter with the Oak 

 Processionary set him scratching himself. He 

 had his suspicions, but could state nothing 

 definitely. 



No; despite their sharp points and their 

 barbs, which make them, under the micro- 

 scope, such formidable spears, the Proces- 

 sionary's russet hairs are not darts designed 

 to imbed themselves in the skin and to pro- 

 voke irritation by pricking. 



Many caterpillars, all most inoffensive, 

 have a coat of bristles which, under the micro- 

 scope, resolve themselves into barbed javelins, 

 quite harmless in spite of their threatening 

 aspect. Let me mention a couple of these 

 peaceable halberdiers. 



Early in spring, we see, crossing the paths, 

 a briskly-moving caterpillar who inspires repu- 

 nance by his ferocious hairiness, which ripples 

 like ripe corn. The ancient naturalists, with 



135 



