The Life of the Caterpillar 



for it. He adds that any other leaf would 

 probably assuage the irritation in the same 

 way. 



This is a fitting occasion for reopening the 

 subject. Here, in a corner of the garden, is 

 parsley, green and abundant as one could wish. 

 What other plant can we compare with it? I 

 choose the purslain, the spontaneous guest of 

 my vegetable-beds. Mucilaginous and fleshy 

 as it is, it readily crushes, yielding an emollient 

 liniment. I rub one hand with parsley and 

 the other with purslain, pressing hard enough 

 to reduce the leaves to a paste. The result 

 deserves attention. 



With the parsley, the burning is a little less 

 acute, it is true, but, though relieved, it per- 

 sists for a long time yet and continues trouble- 

 some. With the purslain, the petty torture 

 ceases almost at once and so completely that 

 I no longer notice it. My nostrum possesses 

 incontestable virtues. I recommend it quietly, 

 without blatant advertisement, to any one 

 who may be persecuted by the Processionary. 

 Foresters, in their war upon caterpillars' 

 nests, should find great relief from it. 



I have also obtained good results with the 

 leaves of the tomato and the lettuce; and, 

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