

During 1 the Middle Ages lamentations over the destructive ravages of 

 different species of insects are of frequent occurrence in many chroni- 

 cles of those times. The means used for the destruction of insects 

 were all, so far as we can learn, of a spiritual nature. Uhland, in his 

 contributions to the history of poetry and legend, relates that in the 

 fourteenth century the bishops of Chur and Lausanne pronounced 

 the anathema over grasshoppers and other insects. At one time a 

 thoroughgoing procedure, according to all the rules of jurisprudence, 

 occurred before the spiritual judge. The accused insects were sum- 

 moned, and in case of nonappearance, which always occurred, unless 

 the insects were moving to new feeding grounds and tbe court-house 

 happened to be in their way, a proxy was appointed to represent the 

 accused insects, who debated the whole subject with the accuser, after 

 which judgment was rendered, invariably against the accused insects 

 in the form of an excommunication, which was carried into effect only 

 when the insects disappeared at the time of pupation. 



Lesser, in his Insecto-Theology, published in London in 1799, says: 



We are at this day still almost in the dark with regard to those means hy which 

 we may deliver ourselves from the depredations of insects. In the Church of Rome 

 recourse has been had to different exorcisms. Other people have fabricated amulets 

 and talismans to which great virtues have been attributed. * * * 



Whatever credit these means may have gained with the people, they are far from 

 having the efficacy of prayer or the worth of the remedies I am about to prescribe. 



There are several ways of preventing the increase of insects. The easiest and most 

 natural, in my opinion, are the following: By spreading on the ground ashes mixed 

 with pigeons' or goats' dung, not only insects newly come forth, but those about to 

 be hatched are destroyed. By destroying the old ones we rid ourselves of the gen- 

 eration they would have produced, and we thus perform in an instant what we would 

 not fail to have been employed in during the whole course of a year. But should 

 the season anticipate our intentions, we must seek their nests in the furrows and 

 clefts of trees. In truth, the industry of insects in choosing places in which their 

 brood may be in safety makes it impossible but some of them will escape our search; 

 but if in one province the country people would use stratagems on their part it is 

 certain that they would insure that profit of which they are often frustrated. 



We can not defend fruit trees from the ra vages of caterpillars better than by carefully 

 pruning them. By this they acquire much more sap, and, as these insects are not 

 fond of too abundant juice, they seek elsewhere a food more to their taste. If the 

 approach of winter obliges them to gather together in the^nests which tbey form at the 

 extremities of the branches, they must be taken off before the spring has made any 

 progress. 



It is possible that these means may not be practicable at all times; but then other 

 stratagems must be fallen upon to stifle the evil in its birth. If caterpillars, ants, 

 and other insects roam over the ground, and have not yet gotten upon the trees they 

 are in search of, a stratum of ashes or of chalk must be laid at the bottom, which 

 will obstruct their passage. I believe this to be infallible ; for. besides that they are 

 enemies to all constraint, they would be so embarrassed by these substances that they 

 would not be able to disengage themselves. Twisted straw, clay, wool, and cotton are 

 likewise successful obstacles to their ascent. Circles of them are put around the stein 

 of the tree, and if a little resinous substance is added to them the tree will be out 

 of danger. Let us change the case. Suppose the insects have already gotten upon 

 the trees, plants, and bushes, the hand must be employed. But there are some times 

 when this is done with greater success than at others, as in the morning, the evening, 



