DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS. 109 



worked by a cord ; or a sharp, hooked knife, on the 

 end of a pole, will answer nearly as well. The 

 eggs are seen at a glance, after a little practice ; a 

 cloudy day should be selected to prevent pain to 

 the eyes. Every nest of eggs thus removed, which 

 is done in a few seconds, totally prevents a nest of 

 caterpillars in the spring, and is far more expedi- 

 tious and effectual than the usual modes of brush- 

 ing off the caterpillars with poles, brushes, or 

 washing them with soap-suds, ley, or white-wash. 

 2. Borer. This insect enters the tree and cuts 

 into the solid wood near the surface of the earth. 

 It is a dangerous enemy, but not as yet very ex- 

 tensively spread. Its presence is perceived by the 

 dust it ejects from its hole. If the trees are watch- 

 ed, and it is taken early, it is easily cut out with 

 the point of a knife. If deeper in the wood, it may 

 be extracted by a flexible barbed wire, or punched 

 to death in its hole by a flexible twig. 



3. Canker worm. This 

 ! caterpillar appears to have 

 been as yet chiefly confined 

 in its destructive ravages, to 

 portions of New-England. 

 The accompanying figures 

 represent the perfect insect, 

 the male with wings, the fe- 

 male nearly destitute. (Fig. 

 Fig. 24. 24.) The canker worm at- 



