The Stinging Power 



fore, the virulence of a single insect fifty 

 times increased. My little blistering-plaster 

 was equivalent to the contact of fifty cater- 

 pillars at the same spot. There is no doubt 

 that, if we left them to steep in considerable 

 numbers, we should obtain extracts of really 

 formidable strength. It is quite possible that 

 medical science will one day make good use 

 of this powerful counter-irritant, which is ut- 

 terly different from cantharides. 



Whether voluntary victims of our curiosity, 

 which, while affording no other satisfaction 

 than that of knowledge, exposes us to an into- 

 lerable itch, or sufferers through an accident, 

 what can we do to give a little relief to the 

 irritation caused by the Processionary? It is 

 good to know the origin of the evil, but it 

 would be better to apply a remedy. 



One day, with both hands sore from the 

 prolonged examination of a nest, I try without 

 success lotions of alcohol, glycerine, oil and 

 soapsuds. Nothing does any good. I then 

 remember a palliative employed by Reaumur 

 against the sting of the Oak Processionary. 

 Without telling us how he came to know of 

 the strange specific, the master rubbed himself 

 with parsley and felt a good deal the better 



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