WILD SILKWORMS. 83 



they keep the tinder used by them for lighting their tobacco and 

 for other purposes. The hardening of the cocoon is produced by 

 the caterpillar discharging upon the newly spun silk a kind of 

 gum or cement which, on drying, binds the silk into a firm, 

 solid mass. The insect escapes from its cocoon in the same way 



'.Fig. 24. Chinese Oak Silk TAot\i(Antkercea Pernyi). 



as the common silkworm, bursting out at the end to which the 

 stalk is attached. The moths do not live long ; they soon deposit 

 their eggs, which are large, pale, flattened objects, with two dark 

 reddish rings round the largest circumference. 



In their native forests, these insects are very plentiful ; they are 

 found over almost the whole of India, and feed on several of the 

 trees which] grow luxuriantly there. They have been reared in 







Fig. 25. Cocoon of Anthcr&a Pernyi. 



England by feeding them on the evergreen oak. The life of the 

 caterpillar lasts for about six weeks. 



Tusser silk is much coarser than that of the mulberry species, 

 and the fibres are flat instead of round ; the width of the thread 

 is about three times that of B. mori. It is also very strong, and 

 garments made of it are consequently exceedingly durable. Its 



