98 FALSE PARASITES 



the edge of the shield a reddish-yellow, fine, dust- 

 like, saffron-colored powder proceed from the 

 shield, without the latter being altered in the least. 

 The interior of this spot showed no especial organ 

 nor opening. Later observations, however, are 

 said to have discovered underneath these reddish 

 spots two large warts, which almost touch one 

 another, and which are especially noticed when the 

 caterpillar casts its skin, and has become deprived 

 of its hair. The same dust was found by Nicolai 

 in the nests and cocoons in the parts which sur- 

 round the chrysalis. The caterpillar also exuded 

 this substance on being touched with a knife on 

 the black shields. On coming into contact with 

 the moist skin, it caused, after eight hours, red, 

 itching pustules, but produced no effect when 

 brought into contact with the dry or oiled skin. 

 The dust loses its peculiar power by being pre- 

 served in spirits of wine. Ratzeburg observed 

 that feeding the caterpillars shut up in a glass, 

 and the necessary repeated opening of the glass, 

 were sufficient to cause inflammation. Lameil, 

 Physician to the Lunatic Asylum at Charenton, 

 observed, after the lapse of ten years even, on 

 openmg aglass which contained a piece of a cocoon. 



