THE PR(_)CI-:SSION CATJLRPILLAR. 139 



those of the Maritime Pine. The Aleppo predominates 

 on the Western Ri^'iera. tor the calcareous soil suits it; 

 but the Alaritime Pine prefers quartz and granite soil. 

 The cones of the ]\hiritime Pine are used on the Riviera 

 for lighting llres. Those ot the P. Piiica, which are 

 roundish and considerabh' larger, are often used for the 

 same purpose. 



Tlie "Procession caterpillar", larva of the motli 

 CiictJioraiiipti PiUicaiiipa, is onh' too common among the 

 Pines on the Cap d'Antibes and elsewhere on the Ri\'iera. 

 Tiiese caterpillars are black \\ ith brown stripes. Hundreds 

 of them walk in single tile o\er the roads, one touching 

 the other and forming a long string which moves loru'ard 

 like a li\'ing chain. If the chain is broken tlie front 

 portion halts and the back advances. The first lar\'a of 

 the rear section seeks to re-form the line b\ teeling 

 about. If he succeeds in llnding the front section the 

 whole chain mo\'es on again. These caterpillars cause 

 great damage to tlie Pine trees ; the\' often eat them 

 t|uite bare. During the da\' thev remain in their large 

 gre\' nests, whicli are so conspicuous on the Pines and 

 look so silky in the sunshine. At night the\' leave their 

 nests in searcli o1 lood. The caterpillars \'\e see cra\\ling 

 on tlie ground are seeking a suitable spot in wliich to 

 pupate. It is dangerous to touch either the caterpillars 

 or tlieir nests, for the hairs penetrate the skin and set 

 Lip serious inlhunmation. Therefore those people who 

 have to rid the trees of these nests keep to the \\-ind- 

 ward side and take ever^* precaution. Tlie best plan 

 is to pour petroleum into the nests witliout remo\ing 



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