50 
or covers arc impenetrable, it will be most judi- 
ciously applied early in the morning, or late in 
the evening, when the cables of the tent are let 
loose purposely, for the little hermit to procure 
subsistence 3 or in winter time, a moderate quan- 
tity of boiling water, might be applied with a 
watering can all over the tree, to those that can be 
readily got to. But this must only be done when 
the tree is lying dormant. 
Another Sort of Caterpillar, which some- 
times proves very destructive to the foliage of this 
tree, will be found in societies about the beginning 
of May, which at their first appearance form to 
themselves a kind of hammock or covering, by fix- 
ing their thread from one side of the leaf to the 
other, and as they advance in strength form a 
new habitation on a more extensive scale. In- 
deed their design is unbounded, for it appeai-s 
from the first commencement of their latter resi- 
dence that they ai'e continually extending it, till 
nature directs that they shall retire from their 
labour, and form individually for themselves 
a more humble one. The union retreat will fre- 
quently be found to include several small branches 
or twig ends with their leaves. This residence 
is not contrived in so orderly a manner as some 
are by the insect race, — there appears to be a kind 
of confusion. Still it is so judiciously managed, 
to connect it with their food, that at the time of 
danger or alarm, they never appear to be at a 
loss in making their retreat to the more secure 
