[ 6 ] 
Having {hewn, that this infett is neither new in its appear¬ 
ance, nor general in its ravages,, I {hall endeavour to demon- 
ftrate, that there is no reafon to be fo dreadfully alarmed about 
its effects, as its powers of deftruftion are much more limited 
than is generally imagined. 
Experiment teaches us, that there are fome Caterpillars 
which are defigned to feed on one kind of plant only, as the 
Papilio Urticce, and Io,/mail Tortoife-Jhcll and Peacock Butterflies', 
thefe are never found on any other plant than the flinging 
nettle. Others that are attached to two or more forts, as the 
Phalana Verbafci , or Water Betony Moth , which appears to be 
equally fond of the Mullein and Water Betony: while others 
will devour indifcriminately almoft every kind of herb, {hrub, 
or tree, as the P ha Lena Antiqua , or Vapourer Moth , which I 
have feen to thrive on the deadly Nightjhade and poifonous Laurel. 
The prefent Caterpillar is not fo limited a feeder as fome, 
nor fo general a one as others. Its whole oeconomy, however, 
{hews it defigned to feed on trees and fhrubs, on which alone it 
is ever found. Thefe afford it a fupport for its web, which is 
an habitation in many refpefls effential to its exiftence, and 
with which herbaceous plants cannot fupply it. 
We may, therefore, with as much propriety expe& to fee 
.the Cabbage Butterfly, Papilio Braflicre , feed on our Oaks and 
Elms, as to find thefe Caterpillars deftroying our Herbs or 
Grafs. 
The following fa£ts will ferve to corroborate what is here 
advanced. They are found on the 
Hawthorn mofl plentifully. 
Oak the fame. 
Elm very plentifully. 
Mofl fruit trees the fame. 
Blackthorn 
