CHAP. XXII.] 



sECTS. 



207 



Attacus ricini). 1. Larva or Worm 

 on cut open to show the structun and ei 

 Pupa; 4. Female Moth. (Original.) 



introduced all over India in a domesticated condition. This insect 

 requires a warm, damp climate and cannot therefore be expected to 

 do well in the plains of Southern India except on the West Coast. 

 In a wild state most of the cocoons are of a dark red-brown colour 

 but. by constant inbreeding oi spei imens producing only white 

 cocoons, the brown ones are eliminated in the domesticated races. 

 These cocoons are not reelable and must be spun and there is 

 consequently no necessity to kill the insect to obtain its silk. Not 

 only, therefore, can all the cocoons reared be converted into thread. 

 but all the moths can be allowed to emerge and be used for breed- 

 ing, so th.it large broods can be built up rapidly without wasting 

 - tor seed. The silk is spun by hand and woven like cotton. 

 the cloth being extremely durable and improving after a little im. 

 ling more lustrous and suit am! also stretching a little. If 

 mill-spun, verj line and even thread can be made and excellent 

 line cloth prepared from this. Either hand-spun or mill-spun 

 thread, or cloth made from these, • an be dyed to any colour required. 

 Further particulars regarding this silk will be found in Pusa 

 Bulletin No. 20. " Dii the Cultivation of En Silk." 



