Ailanthiculture. 187 
and in the introduction of many more, some at least of which we 
may hope will in time prove valuable additions to European Seri- 
ciculture. ‘The two species referred to are Bombyx Ricini, from 
India, feeding on Ricinus communis and Ailanthus glandulosa, and 
having from four to five generations in Europe annually, and 
Bombyx Cynthia, from China, feeding on Ailanthus glandulosa, 
and having from two to three generations annually ; both* are 
extremely hardy and thoroughly naturalized in Europe. Among 
the latter are five oak-feeding species, namely, Bombyx Mylitta 
from Northern India, which produces there the Tusseh silk ; 
B. Pernyi from China; B. Yamamai from Japan, spinning a silken 
thread of the best quality, and greatly esteemed on that account 
in Japan—thousands of cocoons of this species have already been 
reared in France; B. Roylei from the lofty Himalayan plains bor- 
dering on Cashmere; and Saturnia Polyphemus from America, the 
silk of which is very fine and apparently of great value. There 
are also other species awaiting trial of naturalization, viz., Satur- 
nia Cecropia, a plum-feeder, and S$. Prometheus feeding on wild 
cherry, poplar, &c., both from America; another species, name 
unknown, is reported as shortly to arrive from Australia, feeding 
on plum; while living specimens of Bombya Atlus, the largest 
known species, have been exhibited in Paris, but without oppor- 
tunity for fecundation. ‘Two other species are indigenous in French 
colonies, one at Cayenne, called Bombyx Hesperus, feeding out of 
doors on a tree called “Café Diable” but thriving equally well on 
the Ailanthus glandulosa ; the other at Senegal, B. Bauhinia, feed- 
ing on the jujube tree ; the silk of each of these is likely to be of 
value. 
Of these species, the silk of some promises to equal the best 
mulberry or Japanese silk, of others to produce a serviceable 
fabric useful for inferior purposes. It is clear therefore that in 
European Sericiculture new ideas and results have been already in- 
troduced, and it is as yet impossible to foresee what changes may 
ensue. As regards English Sericiculture, it is worth while con- 
sidering whether the dream of the 14th century, which James the 
First vainly strove to realize, may not now be near its completion, 
and that ere long English ladies may produce silk for their own 
vestments. 
-Of the two species now naturalized in France, B. Ricint and 
B. Cynthia, the latter only seems suited for this country. Ex- 
periments carried on in Great Britain since 1861, by myself and 
* B. Ricini is perhaps only a variety of B. Cynthia, the result of prolonged 
domestication and of differences in climate, soil, and food-plant. 
02 
