MEMOIR ON ANIMAL COTTON. ij 



is attributed, may derive a fiinilar advantage, perhaps for 

 the cure of other diforders, from an extra£l of the ani- 

 mal cotton, vifhich might be called the St. Dor/ihigo drops. 



In fhort there is no need here of any of the precau- 

 tions which the filk-vv^orm requires. The robe which 

 covers the fly-carrier, is worked every where, and every 

 where perfedly well. 



1 Ihall only obferve that as the rain fpeedily deftroys 

 the caffada-wonn, the inflant might be leized on when 

 the ichneumon fly has depofited her eggs, to put the fly- 

 carrier under (helter. His natural food might be procur- 

 ed for him, as is done with the lilk-worm. 



The ichneumon fly never fails thus to come and depo- 

 fite her eggs. 1 have never feen a fly-carrier that was 

 not covered with the robe or fliell that 1 have fpoken of. 

 I have continued this obfervation for many years, and 

 the crop was fo abundant, that I alone, could colledt in 

 lefs than two hours, the quantity of one hundred pints, 

 French meafure. 



1 repeat it, animal cotton is attended with none of the 

 difficulties which occur in the preparation of vegetable 

 cotton. It is fo pure, that as foon as the ichneumons 

 have left it, which happens 8 or lo days after their rc- 

 clufion, it may be carded and fpun. 



If it fliould want any preparation, it could be only in 

 cafe it ihould not have been lufliciently guarded againft 

 dufl: and rain. 



Vegetable cotton, befides the feeds that produce it and 

 with which it is charged, is filled with extraneous matter, 

 of which it cannot be freed, but with a minute attention, 

 many hands and much time, or with the help of ma- 

 chines which have not yet been brought to perfection. 



In every point of view, animal cotton appears to me 

 to have a great fuperiority over that of the vegetable 

 kind. 



Vol. V Y It 



