Lieutenant-Colonel Syxes’ Account of the Silk-worm of the Deccan. 543 
each side sinks into a pit or hollow, the egg assuming the form of a double 
concave lens.* The circumference is still marked with the two parallel 
rings. I had hundreds of eggs in different years for months in my 
possession, but the caterpillars never made their appearance: of the larva, 
therefore, I cannot speak, not having seen it.t 
Pupa.—The pupa is an inch long, of an oval form,t one end obtuse, the 
other somewhat acuminated. The posterior extremity (gastro-theca) consists 
of a dark brown (occasionally approaching to a black), smooth, leathery 
case, divided into nine segments or rings; these rings lessening in size to 
the acuminated end, and corresponding with the abdominal rings of the 
future moth; each of these has two apertures or spiracles, which are 
arranged in two lines on either side: the rings appear capable of shutting 
into each other, like the tubes of a telescope. The obtuse end, comprising 
the cephalo-theca and cyto-theca, &c., is protected by a strong leathery hood 
in several pieces, on the dorsal side touching the fifth ring, and on the 
abdominal side joining the first ring; the shape of the hood, therefore, 
resembles that of the body of a coal-skuttle. Through this covering are 
discoverable the rudiments of the eyes, the hard shell on the back of 
the head; and even the wings may be traced, with a little assistance from 
the imagination. When the pupa is pricked with a pin, or is otherwise 
pained or incommoded, it jerks or twists its abdomen. 
Cocoon.—Oblong ; from one to one and a-quarter of an inch long ; has the 
appearance and almost substance of an exceedingly tough tanned hide; is 
most firmly attached by a strong cord to a branch of a tree; the cocoon 
of the male is smaller than that of the female. The animal is said to 
remain an indefinite time in the pupa state, varying from three months to 
two years. It is converted into the moth while yet in its cocoon, and 
liberates itself by discharging from its mouth a liquor, which dissolves or 
loosens that part of the cocoon adjoining to the cord which attaches it to 
the branch, causing a hole, and admitting of the passage of the moth. 
The solvent property of this liquid is very remarkable ; for that part of the 
* Vide Plate 22, figure 3. 
+ The eggs are said, by Mr. Basen, to hatch in from ten to fifteen days, according to the 
temperature of the air: the larve arrive at their full size (two and a-half to three inches) in a 
month, their prevailing colour being pale or sea-green. 
t Vide Plate 22, figure 4, Pupa. 
