62 
MISCHIEF CATERPILLARS CAH DO. 
Some caterpillars* are very fond of fruit, and 
one is called “ The Pest of Pomona.” Pomona 
is, as you know, the goddess of fruit; and it is in 
her dominions that the tiny ravager commits its 
depredations. It feeds upon the lovely blossoms 
of the apple and the pear, and prevents them 
ever coming to perfection. Even the apples 
themselves are not safe; for a caterpillar will 
make its nest in the jfippin, and if you cut the 
apple open, you would find it unsound. 
Often an apricot falls from the tree, before it is 
ripe; and when this is the case, there is pretty 
sure to be a caterpillar feasting on the kernel. 
In North America, peaches and apricots are 
much more abundant, than they are here. Their 
juice is distilled into a spirit, and swine are fed 
upon the fruit. The failure of the crop is a 
serious matter; but it sometimes happens through 
the ravages of the caterpillar. 
Nor do the beautiful vineyards of France escape. 
One caterpillar lives upon the leaves of the vine; 
another species weaves a web so closely round 
the bunches of young grapes, that they cannot 
swell or grow; and as if this were not enough, a 
third attacks the grapes themselves. 
Often, too, when the chesnut-trees are loaded 
with fruit, and promise an abundant harvest, the 
* Tinea, several species. 
