NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 317 



spends nothing and therefore can suffer no loss. Were a market 

 once opened for 7nuga and eri cocoons at fixed rates and in 

 unlimited quantity, it is probable enough that the cultivators 

 would be glad enough to bring their cocoons to it, and that, under 

 the stimulus of a certain and regular demand, the supply would 

 soon begin to increase. Only the waste cocoons — the perforated 

 cocoons through which the moth has been allowed to eat its 

 way — would be required, and the seller would not even be put 

 to the trouble of boiling his cocoons as he does now before 

 offering tliem for sale. The practicability of getting up a supply 

 for the English silk-spinner in this way depends, of course, 

 upon the price which he finds it worth his while to offer for 

 the article supplied. In November, 1883, I despatched a small 

 consignment of eri cocoons to a silk-spinner in England, who 

 has sent me samples of the yarn prepared from them, and asked 

 for a large supply. It is not safe to enter into any minute 

 calculations in these matters, but it seems to me that a price 

 of Is. per pound for either eri or muga cocoons in London would 

 repay the exporter. The great want at present is free communi- 

 cation between the exporter and the producer. The indolence 

 and suspiciousness of the Assamese ryot have to be overcome, 

 and this can be done far better by private enterprise than by 

 Government agency, though the latter may be able to help 

 private enterprise in pushing its way in Assam. As it is, the 

 demand for waste silk in England has already begun to attract a 

 trade in eri cocoons, and some 100 to 500 cwt. are exported 

 annually from Goalpai'a to Calcutta for shipment to London, but 

 this supply is very far from adequately representing the productive 

 capabilities of the Assam Valley. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES, CAPTURES, &c. 



PiERis DAPLiDiCE. — My brother, writing from Folkestone, 

 reports that a schoolboy has recently taken in the Warren there 

 two specimens of this insect. He has seen one of them ; it is in 

 good condition, apparently fresh from the chrysalis. — Bernard 

 Cooper ; 2, Pembury Road, Tottenham. 



Melit;ea ciNXiA. — The fastidious taste in the choice of 

 localities of M. cinxia is well known. It has made this and the 

 ENTOM. — AUGUST, 1885. 3f 



