MR. CHUPES AND MISS JENNY 



a green caterpillar with a conspicuous 

 growth of what looked like Lilliputian 

 shrubbery on the upper part of its back 

 near its head. The birds fell eagerly on 

 the prize and proceeded to halve and quar- 

 ter it, when suddenly they began to gasp as 

 if in great pain, and in a short time their 

 feet were so swollen that they could hardly 

 stand. I recognized it as a case of poison- 

 ing and administered to each of the suf- 

 ferers a generous dose of sweet-oil, after 

 which I bathed the heated little claws and 

 legs until the influence of the venom passed 

 away. 



Naturally I investigated the strange case, 

 and I learned that this caterpillar is one of 

 the most poisonous in existence; mere con- 

 tact with it being enough to raise a swell- 

 ing like that of the hives on human flesh. 

 It belongs to the Limacodidce or saddle- 

 back family of caterpillars. 

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