An Insect Virus 



that produced by the droppings of the Proces- 

 sionary, assures me that logic was right. 



Yes, the virus which makes one scratch so 

 much, which blisters and eats away the skin, 

 is not a defensive product vested in only a few 

 caterpillars. I recognize it, with its invariable 

 properties, even in a caterpillar which at first 

 sight appears 'as though it could not possess 

 anything of the kind. 



The Silkworm's virus, besides, is not un- 

 known in my village. The casual observation 

 of the peasant-woman has outstripped the 

 precise observation of the man of science. The 

 women and girls entrusted with the rearing of 

 the Silkworm the magnanarelles as they 

 are called complain of certain tribulations 

 caused, they say, by lou verin di magnan, the 

 Silkworms' poison. This trouble consists of 

 a violent itching of the eyelids, which become 

 red and swollen. In the case of the more 

 susceptible, there is a rash and the skin peels 

 off the fore-arm, which the turned-up sleeves 

 fail to protect during work. 



I now know the cause of this little trouble, 

 my plucky magnanarelles. It is not contact 

 with the worm that afflicts you ; you need have 

 no fear of handling him. It is only the litter 



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