the Tussch and Arrindy Silk-Worms of Bengal. 41 



the Burbhoom hills, which I heard is more capable of being do- 

 mesticated than the one above described; but I daresay you will 

 excuse my saying any thing respecting it, as I can only speak 

 from hearsay* the insect not being produced in these hills. 



" Yours very sincerely, 



" Michael Atkinson.** 



Jungypore, 

 28th November 1796. 



Extract of a Second Letter from the same Gentleman* 

 dated l6th December 1796. 



" I send you herewith, for Dr. Roxburgh, a specimen of Bughy 

 Tusseh silk. I kept the cocoons by me several days after they 

 had been steeped in the alkaline ley, and they reeled just as well 

 as if they had been newly soaked. The cocoons do not, I think, 

 differ from those of the Jarroo species, except that they are 

 lighter coloured. I send one which the moth has pierced, and 

 will send for more to take down with us. There are none of the 

 Palma Christi species of Tusseh to be had here, but I have sent 

 for some. I fancy this last is the most valuable kind, for the silk 

 piece wove from it is uncommonly durable. The head sircar of 

 the factory here has an outside cover of a palanquin, which, he 

 tells me, has been worn eleven years ; also some purdahs, which, 

 he says, have been in constant use nine years, and are not much 

 decayed yet. I remember examining the palanquin cover about 

 five or six }'ears ago. 



" I have heard that there is another variation of the Tusseh silk- 

 worm in the hills near Bauglipore; its cocoon is said to be smaller 

 than the cocoons of the Bughy and Jarroo species: perhaps this may 

 be the kind furnished to Doctor Roxburgh by Major Hutchinson: 

 but, after all, I confess it may be suspected that all the variations 



vol. vii. g are 



