474 Transactions of the American Institute. 



of the roguery in packing. The fruit-growers ought not to be held 

 responsible for these frauds. They sell their apples on the frees to 

 New York speculators, who pick and barrel them in their own pecu- 

 liar way. The farmer is not generally tricky, but produce specula- 

 tors — well, I do not feel myself called upon, Mr. Chairman, at this time, 

 and before this body, to characterize a class of individuals. By their 

 works ye shall know them. Do men gather figs of thistles ? 



Worms and Insects. 



Mr. Ball as, a policeman at the Central park, gave an interesting 

 sketch of his observations concerning the leaf and fruit-devouring 

 insects found in the park. lie described, at some lengtli, the habits 

 of the span-worm and other assailants of vegetation, and urged the 

 necessity, if we would do away with pests of this character, of searcli- 

 ing out and destroying their nests in the winter season, when they 

 may be detected with comparative ease. For instance, the chrysalis 

 of the span-worm is indicated by its cocoon, and the eggs of what 

 has been termed the " plume worm" by a leaf which is always found 

 stuck fast over the place where the eggs are deposited. 



Mr. T. C. Peters. — I would ask if birds will eat these worms ? 



Mr. Ballas, — Yery poor birds will do so. The cat-bird, ho%vever, 

 is an exception. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — Mr. Cliairman, I know that the gentleman is 

 right when he tells us to attack these vermin in the winter. One 

 day's work now will do more good than a week's labor in the spring. 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble. — I would say a word with reference to the 

 birds. The Baltimore oriole will attack the chrysalis in the cocoon. 

 The weak point of the cocoon is at the lower end. The oriole digs 

 an opening with his claw and then inserts his beak. The doctor, as 

 collateral to the subject, then went on to explain the difference 

 between a "miller" and a butterfly : A miller has a little knob at 

 the end of each feeler, and a butterfly has none; furthermore, a but- 

 terfly always folds its wings upward close together, while a moth 

 lays them down flat. 



A Member. — AVhat use may be made of large cocoons sometimes 

 found on trees ? 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble. — These cocoons are capable of yielding 

 what may be termed a tow-silk ; that is, the threads, instead of being 

 long and uniform, are broken and tangled together. Something like 

 this is ver}^ much used in oriental countries ^for making fabrics for 

 clothing, which is very durable. 



