GROWTH OF SILK-WORMS. 167 



stance about 60,000 times its primitive weight. In 

 warmer climates, silk-worms consume a rather less 

 quantity of leaves, because these are perhaps more 

 nutritive; but, in that case, the silk produced is not 

 so dehcale and fine. The following statements are 

 the result of experiments made by Count Dandolo: — 



Pi'ogressive increase of silk-ivorms in weight. 



GKAINS 



A hundred worms jusl hatched weigh about 1 



After the first moulting 15 



After the second moulting 94 



After the third mouhing 400 



After the fourth mouhing 1628 



On attaining their greatest size and weight 9500 



They have, therefore, in thirty days increased 9500 

 times their primitive weight. 



Progressive increase of silk-worms in length. 



LINES. 



A silk-worm just hatched measures about 1 



After the first moulting 4 



After the second moulting 6 



After the third moulting 12 



After tiie fourth moulting 20 



After the fifth mouhing it may reach 40 



The length of the silk-worm, therefore, increases 

 about forty times in twenty-eight days,* 



By recalling to memory the comparisons of the 

 eggs of insects with the seeds of plants, and of cater- 

 pillars with buds, which ought to be taken (if "we 

 may trust Swammerdam) literally rather than poeti- 

 cally, we shall arrive at more distinct notions of 

 the manner in which the growth and changes of 

 larvGB are accomplished. The buds of plants are 

 composed of successive leaves closely embosomed 

 within each other's foldings, the outer one being 

 generally hard and corneous, from the ex[iosure of 

 its vessels to the colds of winter, while the inner 



* Count Dandolo on Silk-worms, p. 326, Eng. Trans. 



