THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 223 



is the most hurtful insect to the tree of Avhich it bears the 

 name. It especially attacks wood of from sixty to eighty 

 years old, and many examples are known of forests at this 

 age being totally destroyed by these caterpillars, which the 

 German wood-growers call inue spinners, on account of 

 the numerous cocoons with which they cover the leaves of 

 this tree. 



The foresters equally dread another Phalpena, commonly 

 called the monk or nun, on account of its robe being laced 

 Avith black and AAdiite like that of certain devotees. It is 

 all the more fatal because its caterpillar attacks not only 

 the coniferous forests, but in addition all forest trees, such 

 as the birch, oak, beech, &c. Its butterflies are met Avitli 

 in autumn, and sometimes in such abundance that at a 

 distance one might take them for snoAV-flakes drifting 

 about. The regular exterminations of Avhich Ave haA'e 

 previously spoken, are also directed against this Monk 

 Bombyx. 



Among the butterflies, the progeny of Avhich devastates 

 our woods, it is necessary to mention also the Pine-eatiug 

 Phalaena. Its caterpillars, which sometimes multiply in 

 an extraordinary Avay, make great havoc in the pine forests. 

 They are particularly to be dreaded, because they shoAV 

 themselves very early, and devour the young shoots. They 

 are met Avith the same means as the others ; their invasion 

 is checked by trenches, and in some places by herds of 

 pigs Avhicli eat them in heaps. For this purpose the pigs 

 are led to the forests tOAvards the month of August, a time 

 at Avhich they seize the caterpillars as they descend from 

 the trees in order to h3dDernate under the moss or earth. 



Other insects, in lieu of attacking stems or leaves, attach 

 themselves to the buds. One of them produces great 

 havoc by gnawing those of the pine. Its caterpillar, Avhich 



