4 
4 
a 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 48 
was previously deemed innocuous. I do not attempt to 
suggest a remedy at present. | 
“To Edward Newman, F.L.S., &c. 
‘*Tarne, November 26, 1875. 
“Dear Sir,—The firm of which 1 am a member has 
suffered serious loss by holes in linens exposed on bleach- 
fields during this summer and autumn in particular, and at 
same seasons in former years, without being able to ascertain 
the cause. 
“J presume you are aware that the system of bleaching 
linens in this country is a peculiarly tedious one, extending 
over six weeks. The linens, after having been boiled in 
soda-ley and thoroughly washed, are spread over bleach- 
fields, where they remain for days; and this process is 
repeated again and again, accordiug to quality, for some 
linens require double the amount of work that others do; 
and I have invariably found that those which require the 
most frequent grassing have been most subject to holes. I 
have been obliged to give the matter very special attention ; 
and in September last I detected a particular lot of linens 
very seriously damaged at grass by holes, and this lot 
covered with thousands of these caterpillars. 
“T should mention that before being sent to grass I had 
this parcel of linens most carefully examined, by drawing 
each web over a pole, erected in front of a window, and 
found it free from holes. When brought in from grass four 
days afterwards, I had it examined in the same manner, in 
same place, and by the same person, when the holes were 
discovered with thousands of these caterpillars on the webs, 
and in many cases in the holes; generally at each hole there 
was a greenish matter, evidently ejected by these caterpillars. 
Some of the holes were not larger than the head of a pin, but 
many of them were sufficiently large to admit of the cater- 
pillars creeping through, and I found them in the act of doing 
so. At every part of the web where I found holes I found 
caterpillars in their vicinity, and where there were no holes 
I did not find them. 
“JT am sorry 1 did not keep any samples of these holes as 
they were when discovered, but | had them all very carefully 
marked, and I now enclose you a few cuttings to show you 
