94 NATURAL HISTORY. [CH. V. 



plantations in various parts of their dominions. 

 Marshal Bieberstein has introduced the silkworm 

 in the Ukraine, where, in 49<^ N. latitude, the admi- 

 rable incitements to the cultivation of silk by hon- 

 orary and substantial rewards from the Emperor of 

 the Russias, are about to be repaid to that govern- 

 ment by the abundance of the silk produced. 



The testimony of Evelyn as to the feasibility of 

 producing silk in England is unequivocal, and will 

 perhaps appear conclusive when compared with 

 what has been already stated. 



" We have already mentioned some of the uses 

 of this excellent tree, especially of the white, be- 

 cause the fruit is of a paler colour, which is also of 

 a more luscious taste, and less than the black. The 

 rind also is whiter, and the leaves of a mealy, 

 clear green colour, far tenderer and sooner pro- 

 duced by at least a fortnight, which is a marvellous 

 advantage to the newly-disclosed silkworm ; also 

 they arrive sooner at their maturity, and the food 

 produces a finer web. Nor is this tree less beauti- 

 ful to the eye than the fairest elm, very proper for 

 walks and avenues. The timber, among other 

 properties, will last in the water as well as the 

 most solid oak, and the bark makes good and tough 

 boat-ropes. It suffers no kind of vermin to breed 

 on it, whether standing or felled, nor dare any cater- 

 pillars attack it, save the silkworm only. The lop- 

 pings are excellent fuel, but that for which this tree 

 is in the greatest and most worthy esteem is for the 

 leaves, which, besides the silkworm, nourish cows, 

 sheep, and other cattle, especially young porkers, 

 being boiled with a little bran. The fruit is excel- 

 lent to feed poultry. It seems whatever eats of 

 them will with difficulty be reduced to endure any 

 thing else, as long as they can come by them. To 

 say nothing of their other sovereign quahties, I 

 have read that in Syria they make bread of them, 

 but that the eating makes men bold. 



