SILK WORMS. 



61 



The bushes were scrub oaks, the worms being protected by a 

 net. After meeting with such great success Mr. Trouvelot lost 

 all his worms by pebrine, the germs beiug imported in eggs 

 received from Japan through M. Guerin-Meneville of Paris. 

 Enough, however, was done to prove that silk raising can be 

 carried on profitably, when due pi'ecautions are taken, as far 

 north as Boston. As this moth extends to the tropics, it can be 

 reared with greater facility southwards. The cocoon is strong 

 and dense, and closed at 

 each end, so that the 

 thread is continuous, 

 while the silk has a very 

 strong and glossy fibre. 



Next in value to the 

 American silk worm, is 

 the Ailanthus silk worm 

 (Samia Cynthia) a spe- 

 cies allied to our Callo- 

 samia Proraethea. It 

 originated from China, 

 where it is cultivated, 

 and was introduced into 

 Italy in 1858, an^ thence 

 spread into France, where 

 it was introduced by 

 M. Guerin-Meneville. Its 

 silk is said to be much 

 stronger than the fibre of 

 cotton, and is a mean be- 

 tween fine wool and ordi- 

 nary silk. The worm is 

 very hardy, and can be 

 reared in the open air 

 both in this country and 

 in Europe. The main 

 drawback to its culture is 

 the difficulty in unreeling the tough cocoon, and the shortness 

 of the thread, the cocoon being open at one end. 



The Yama-ma'i moth (Antheraja Yama-mai) was introduced 

 into France from Japan in 1861. It is closely allied to the 

 Polyphemus moth, and its caterpillar also feeds on the oak. Its 



54. American Silk Worm. 



