But that I may give you my own sentiments, I am very apt to suspect that this Worm is no more poyson then other CatterpillersCatterpillars (for 'tis of the CatterpillerCatterpillar kind,) and I believe, in Godartius of Insects. lately englished by the most learned and ingenious Dr. Lister, you will find the very same Animal as this I speak of; but at present I have not that book by me, having sent it to my Brother in Holland. I never had, or have seen, but this one, and so I would make no experiment therewith, being forced (as I told you,) to kill it. But I verily believe that the Ugliness of the Worm (it being of a dark fuscous, and as they say, poysonous color,) together with its largeness beyond common CatterpillersCatterpillars, has wrought so upon the fearfull and ignorant Vulgar, that they have given it the name of Venemous. As to the Gentlemans forementioned Reasons, they are but conjectures, and as such I submit them to your judgement; and my negative opinion has much the same foundation, for I find the People of our Country much in the wrong in some particulars relating to the Animal, which makes me suspect they may be in an error relating to its poyson. For first tis commonly asserted by them, that the two spots marked dd Fig: 1. are Google Eyes, whereas they are nothing more then two Variegated spots of a colour different from the rest of the Back. Secondly, they assert likewise, that the part marked e Fig: 1. is a sting, whereas this Protuberance in the Tail is common with it to severall other CatterpillersCatterpillars, and the greater the Catterpillerpillar, the larger this Horn. So that if their fear or abhorrence of the Worm may make them believe those (879) parts EysEyes that are not, and that part a Sting, which is not at all like it, contrary to the plain View of the Creature; It may likewise make them imagin it poysonous, when it is no such thing. But yet I will not conceal what I have from another Gentleman (but with some diffidence of the Experiment,) he gave the juice of one of these Worms to one Dog, which shewed no alteration thereon, but another Dog, to whom he gave the skin of the Creature, was found dead three dayes after; but whether his death proceeded from the poysonous skin, he could not assert; for the Dog ran at liberty, and might have been kild (for ought as he knew,) by some other Accident, tho' no externall sign of any Violence offer'd to him did appear. But leaving these conjectures, I come to what is evident to the senses (and experimental Philosophy ought to go no farther,) the explanation of the Figures.

Fig. 1. AB. the Worm lying on his Belly, long 2½ Inches almost. c. his head. dd. two Variegated spots mistaken for Eyes. e. a small Protuberance towards its Tail, from whence arises a part in shape of a horn, mistaken for a Sting.

Fig. 2. Represents the Worm Reclined almost on his back. F. His mouth formed like that of other Catterpillars, as appeared in the Microscope. gg, &c. six small horny feet or Claws, 3 on each side, as in other Catterpillars. hh, &c. Eight Papillæ, with which he fastens himself to what he goes or hangs on, as Childrens suckers are fastned to wet stones.

ii. Two larger Papillæ, with which he does both suck himself fast, but most commonly therewith he grasps the stems of Grass and Herbs, to which he clings with the other.

P.S. Since the writing of this Letter, I have again seen Gaodartius of Insects, and in him I find, (as I surmized,) our Connought Worm, described by the Name of the Elephant Catterpillar, Numb. 125. or 126.

Yours Will. Molineux.