242 
HALF HOURS WITH INSECTS. [Packard. 
into the hole in the portion of the branch beyond the cut, 
and plugs up the opening behind it before the limb is broken 
off by some strong wind and falls to the ground. 
But as I am already indebted to Dr. Fitch for most of the 
facts regarding this intelligent insect, I will let him tell 
them in his own words. 
“The worm being about half grown is now ready to cut 
the limb asunder. But this is a most nice and critical oper¬ 
ation, requiring much skill and calculation, for the limb 
Fig. 184. 
Oak Pruner. 
must not'break and fall whilst he is in the act of gnawing 
it apart, or he will be crushed by being at the point where 
it bends and tears asunder, or will fall from the cavity there 
when it breaks open and separates. To avoid such casual¬ 
ties, therefore, he must, after severing it, have time to with¬ 
draw himself back into his hole in the limb and plug the 
opening behind him, before the limb breaks and falls. And 
this little creature accordingly appears to be so much of a 
philosopher as to understand the force of the winds and 
their action upon the limbs of the tree, so that he can bring 
them into his service. He accordingly severs the limb so 
far that it will remain in its position until a strong gust of 
wind strikes it, whereupon it will break off and fall. 
“ But the most astonishing part of this feat remains to be 
18 
