SILKWORM ON A UULBZRRT UAF. 



THE CLOTHES MOTH. ^09 



yards long; and it is so fine, that eight or ten threads are generally 

 rolled off into one. For this purpose the cocoons are put into small 

 coppers or basins of water, each over 

 a small fire. The ends of the threads 

 are found bj brushing them over 

 gently with a whisk made for the pur- 

 pose; and in the winding they are 

 T-ach passed through a hole, in an 

 horizontal bar of iron placed at the 

 edge of the basin, which prevents them 

 from becoming entangled. 



A fortnight or three weeks generally 

 elapse before the insect within the 

 cocoon is changed into a m.oth ; but 

 no sooner is it completely formed, than, having divested itself of its 

 aurelia skin, it prepares to burst through its prison. For this purpose 

 it extends its head towards the point of the cocoon, and gnaws a 

 passage through its cell, small at first, but enlarging as the animal 

 increases its efforts for emancipation. The tattered remnants of its 

 aurelia skin are left in confusion within the cocoon, like a little 

 bundle of dirty linen. 



The animal thus set free, appears exhausted with fatigue, and seema 

 produced for no other purpose than to transmit a future brood. The 

 male dies immediately after its conjunction with the female ; and she 

 only survives him, till she has laid her eggs, which are to be hatched 

 into worms in the ensuing spring. 



■ In many parts of Italy, the inhabitants contrive to have two silk- 

 harvests in the year. They keep the eggs in very cool places ; and, 

 when the mulberry-trees (after having been stripped entirely of their 

 leaves for former worms) begin to bud a second time, they expose tho 

 eggs to be hatched. 



During the whole time in which the animals continue in a worm 

 state, the utmost care and attention are requisite, as they are ex- 

 tremely susceptible of cold, dampness, and unpleasant smells. 



THE CLOTHES MOTH. 



The larva of this little Moth is well known from the damage it 

 commits in woolen cloth and furs. These substances constitute the 

 principal support of the caterpillar, and therefore the parent is, by its 

 natural instinct, directed to deposit its eggs in them. The caterpillar, 

 as soon as it quits the egg, begins to form for itself a nest : for thia 

 purpose, after having spun a fine coating of silk immediately around 

 its body, it cuts the filaments, of the wool or fur, close to the thread 

 of the cloth, or to the skin. This operation is performed by its jaws, 

 which act in the manner of scissors. The pieces are cut into conve 

 nieut lengths, and applied, with great dexterity, one by one, to the 

 outside of its case ; and to this it fastens them by means of its silk. 

 Its covering being thus formed, the little caterpillar never quits it but 



