An Insect Virus 



emulators in urtication, is not the last word on 

 the subject. I should find it difficult to believe 

 in such a prerogative. Why have these cater- 

 pillars, more than others, need of protection? 

 What reasons would make of them a caste 

 apart, endowed with an exceptional defensive 

 venom ? The part which they play in the en- 

 tomological world does not differ from that of 

 other caterpillars, hairy or smooth. It is the 

 naked caterpillars who, in default of a mane 

 capable of striking awe into the assailant, 

 ought, one would think, to arm themselves 

 against danger and impregnate themselves 

 with corrosives, instead of remaining a meek 

 and easy prey. Is it likely that the shaggy, 

 bristling caterpillar should anoint his fleece 

 with a formidable cosmetic and his smooth- 

 coated kinsman be unfamiliar with the che- 

 mical properties of the poison beneath his 

 satin skin ! These contradictions do not in- 

 spire confidence. 



Have we not here, rather, a property com- 

 mon to all caterpillars, smooth-skinned or 

 hairy? Among the latter, there might be 

 some, just a few, who, under certain special 

 conditions which will need to be defined, 

 would be quick to reveal by urtication the 

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