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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