in Entomology, the caterpillar of the pine-tree, received its compound name from that substance. It was considered as a poison, and as a remedy, according to its different mode of application. Our chief information concerning this caterpillar, is derived from M. Reaumur, who has attentively observed its manner of life. The animal cannot bear much cold, and is therefore never found in the higher latitudes. It is styled processionary, because it never leaves its hold, where many families reside, till the evening, when it feeds in trains, led on by two or three, and this train leaves a ribbon of silk in its way; for those behind follow exactly the steps of those which preceded, and each leaves its fibre of silk. Their nests are found in autumn; they are produced in the middle of September, become torpid in December, and recover their strength again in spring. They then descend from the trees, plunge into the earth, and undergo their last change. It is the bombix pityocampa of Fabricius, (Martini Infectior. tom. ii. p. 114. No. 66.), and greatly resembled the processionary caterpillar of the oak. The ancients used it as a vesicatory, and the acrimony seems to reside chiefly in a dust which is concealed in receptacles on its back. This is its offensive weapon, for it is thrown out at will, and produces very troublesome effects, though the hair of the animal and every part of its body seem to have a similar, but weaker power. The effect is also weaker in winter; but this may depend on the diminished irritability of the human body, as well as on the torpid state of the insect. Their silk is not sufficiently strong for the loom, and in hot water melts almost to a paste. In the earth it forms nests of stronger silk, but it is then found with difficulty: in boxes its silk is extremely tender. Adding to all these inconveniences, handling the cones produces all the bad effects of the dust. Matthiolus recommends them as a styptic, and perhaps they may serve for burning on the skin instead of moxa, the downy silk of a species of artemisia. The ancients, afraid of its hurtful qualities, used them with caution, and enacted laws against their being sold promiscuously: the modern planter is chiefly afraid of them, because they destroy the beauty of his trees, and he endeavours to collect the eggs by cutting off the branches, which are burnt immediately.