506 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



mony at the temple, her Majesty, followed by her ladies, goes into 

 the field, and, surrounded by the farmers' wives, cooks some mul- 

 berry-leaves and lays them on a basket containing the newly 

 hatched worms. The festival is closed with her winding a cocoon 



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Iff 



d 



g .'1 



Fig. 4. Thanks to the Goddess op Silk. 

 In Szechuen our ancestors in ancient times 

 Became masters of the precious worms ; 

 So, when the snowy skeins we see, 

 Let us pay our vows, all, at Loui' Tseu's feet. 

 Bending our heads before her shrine, 

 Offering her silk and the flowers of the land. 



by way of setting an example, in the presence of the people, and 

 distributing gifts to those persons who have been reported by the 

 authorities of their villages as most worthy by reason of their 

 fidelity in attention to the care of the silk-worms. 



charged with making all the calculations. There are four full astronomers, two Chinese 

 and two Tartars, who appear in the religious solemnities. Under the reign of the Emperor 

 Kang-Hi the astronomers were Jesuits, and had a great influence at court. But they were 

 denounced at Rome by the Franciscans, as favoring idolatry. A suit ensued, which the 

 Franciscans gained, and the Jesuits had to resign their long-held functions. 



