Ailanthiculture. 245 
at once assumes an important aspect, and not merely have the 
habits of the one species, Bombyx Cynthia, been carefully investi- 
gated, as susceptible of acclimatization and successful cultivation, 
but those also of other silk-producing insects of hardy nature, 
such as Hesperus, Polyphemus, Cecropia, Yamamai, &c. 
Thus the dream of the 14th century, which James I., in the 
17th, vainly strove to realize, is now actually on the point of ful- 
filment. Fortunate will it be for England,—fortunate, indeed, for 
Ireland, if land, hitherto valueless, can be so tended as to furnish 
with little care and slight cost a fabric warm and durable. Fortu- 
nate will it be for women and children (especially for workhouse 
habitués), if another health-giving industry be opened up for their 
nimble fingers. ° 
I cannot but be deeply struck with the remarkable chain of 
events which have preceded these novel projects, and I feel confi- 
dent that at no very distant period Ailanthiculture will take high 
rank amongst English industries. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
PLATE XV. 
Bombyx Cynthia, imago and cocoons. 
PuaTe XVI. 
Bombyx Cynthia, egg, natural size and magnified ; and larve in four 
stages, on leaf of dilanthus glandulosa. 
