544 Lieutenant-Colonel Syxrs’ Account of the Silk-worm of the Deccan. 
cocoon against which it is directed, although previously as hard as a piece 
of wood, becomes soft and pervious as wetted brown-paper. I may 
observe, however, that on some rare occasions I have found this discharge 
insufficient to ensure the escape of the moth, which I have been obliged to 
promote manually; but in all cases a very large opening is left, and the 
silk threads are entirely severed. 
Imago.—In its perfect state the moth is remarkably handsome, if not 
splendid.* I found its existence limited to a week when confined, those in 
my possession having died within seven days, and I have no reason to 
suppose that in a wild state their existence would be prolonged beyond the 
time necessary for depositing their eggs, which is commonly effected within 
the week : they did not take any nourishment while they lived. Dr. Rox- 
BuRGH’s moth of the Bhugi had no mouth, nor could I discover, with the 
assistance of a compound microscope, suctorious organs; but there was 
decidedly a passage into the stomach (ventriculus), which readily admitted 
of the insertion of a fine needle. By this passage the animal doubtless 
discharges the fluid which softens the cocoon and facilitates its escape. 
The absence of the essential organs of the mouth indicates that the moth 
is only produced to deposit its eggs, and that it does not take food in this 
state. 
Head.—* Roundish, scarcely projecting beyond the anterior margin of the 
first pair of wings.” 
Eyes.—* Large, of a dark brown colour,” minutely and beautifully 
reticulated. 
Antenne.—Male. Bipectinate, very broad, lanceolate——Female. Bipec- 
tinate, very narrow, lanceolate. 
Palpi.—Four : the lower ascending, densely covered with hair, the upper 
pair projecting, incurved, not hairy. 
Mouth.—No suctorious organs. 
Trunk.—* Oval, completely clothed with fine long orange-brown hair.” 
Abdomen.—Oblong, ovate, composed of nine parts or rings (Dr. Rox- 
BURGH says seven), including the extreme point. The whole densely 
covered with fine long orange-brown hair. In the female, the abdomen 
extends to the margin (or a little beyond) of the posterior wings. In the 
male, it is considerably shorter. 
* Vide Plate 22, figure 5, Imago. 
