the Titssch and Arrindy Silk-JVonns of Bengal, 47 



Extract of a letter on the same subject from Henry Creighton, 

 Esq. of Maid*, dated 12th February 1800. 



" The Palma Christi silk-worm goes by the same name as 

 the plant does among the natives, which is Arrindy. They 

 accordingly call it Arrindy-uorm, Arrindy-thrcad, Arrindy-chth, 

 &c. They rear it in their houses much in the way the silk-worm 

 is reared. Their manner of spinning it is as follows : Four or five 

 of the cocoons are fastened to a stick stuck in the ground, or 

 sometimes they hold it in their hand. These are united into one 

 thread, and made fast to a piece of wood, with something heavy 

 to make it spin round while suspended by the thread : when they 

 let out sufficient of the cocoons from their hand, it is twisted by 

 this piece of wood spinning round, and when well twisted it is 

 wound round the wood, and another length let out from the hand. 

 The cocoons are spun wet, but only Avith cold water. The cloth 

 is woven in small pieces in a loom, and is as coarse as light vit- 

 tree, but more open ; and on being washed and beaten well, is 

 made very soft and pliable. It is entirely confined to the di- 

 stricts of Dinagepore and Rungpore ; no other place in Bengal 

 having got it. Its uses are for clothing, for both men and 

 women. It will wear constantly ten, fifteen, or twenty years ; the 

 merchants also use it for packing fine cloths, silks, or shawls. 

 It must, however, be always washed in cold water; if put into 

 boiling water, it makes it tear like old rotten cloth. There is a 

 cocoon produced wild upon the mango-tree, which they gather, 

 and mix with Arrindy cocoons in spinning. I have only seen one 

 caterpillar of it, and I did not succeed in rearing it. I shall in- 

 quire for some, and get a drawing made, if possible, as they can- 

 not be sent or carried to anv distance." 



EXPLA- 



