The Rev. F. W. Hope o)i Silk Insects. 125 



Epeira clavipes, a spider abundant in Bermuda : fine specimens of 

 its silken cocoon may be seen at the British Museum ; and other 

 species of the same genus also are deserving of attention. 



Moth-Silk. 



The principal Moths producing silk belong to the genera Clisi- 

 ocampa, Bomhyx, and Tinea. Tlie BombyxMori (the proper type of 

 the genus) yields it in great abundance : this species has become 

 naturalized in the fairest portions of the globe. 



As it appears from the statistical details that silk is so intimately 

 connected with our commercial and manufacturing interests, it is evi- 

 dently worth while, for the prosperity of those interests, to recom- 

 mend its increased cultivation ; and really, if ever there was a period 

 when its cultivation could be carried on with increased success, it is 

 the present moment. Look at our Indian possessions, in the full 

 enjoyment of peace : the English, ruling these extensive territories, 

 might induce the natives to grow (if I may use the term) any quan- 

 tity of silk, sufficient to glut all the markets of Europe. In these 

 regions there are generally eight successive silk crops : some autho- 

 rities assert even more. Extending, moreover, our views to China, 

 as the trade with that country is now thrown open to British capital, 

 enterprise, and industry, we may naturally expect that a stimulus 

 may be applied there to its increased production. Abandoning for 

 for the present, however, foreign produce, it i:emains to state the 

 possibility of growing silk in England ; and this part of my subject 

 requires a thorough investigation. Prussia, Bavaria, and even North- 

 ern Russia, whose climates are not superior to our own, grow annual- 

 ly large quantities of silk ; and why does not England do the same ? 

 The answer is, the price of labour is here too high ; secondly, the expe- 

 riments tried have already failed. Notwithstanding these assertions, 

 I think that it is possible to grow silk in England, and grow it even 

 with success and profit. To meet these objections I would suggest, 

 first, that we ought to breed silk-worms in hothouses throughout 

 the year ; and, secondly, that the Pavonia Moths of Europe and 

 other countries, as well as the Atlas Moths of Asia, should be 

 reared in like manner. It has already been remarked, that several 

 crops are obtained in the East within the year ; and why may we not 

 also expect in England several, by means of breeding the worms in 

 hothouses. In India the longest period for a generation of silk- 

 worms appeal's to be forty days : even allowing fifty days in England 

 for a generation, we may then expect seven crops of silk. If we 

 only obtain four, that is double the number produced in Italy, where 

 they annually rear but two. I need now scarcely add, that four crops 



