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The formation of the moth, and its disposition to issue from the 

 cocoon, may be ascertained, when one of its extremities is perceived 

 to be wet, which is the part occupied by the head of the moth. A 

 few hours after, and sometimes in one hour after, the moth will pierce 

 the cocoon and come out. Occasionally, the cocoon is so hard, and 

 so wound in silk, that tiie moth in vain strives to come forth, and dies 

 in the cocoon. Sometimes the female deposites some eggs in the co- 

 coon before she can get out, and often perishes in it. This circum- 

 stance has induced some to extract the chrysalis from the cocoon by 

 cutting it, that the moth may only have to pierce its thin envelope. 

 But Dandolo disapproves of the practice, (although he has performed 

 the operation with success.) because it is tedious; and should the moths 

 be put on a plain surface, five in a hundred will not be able to get out, 

 but will drag the envelope along, and at last die, not being able to disen- 

 cumber themselves. If the surface be not smooth, the moths will is- 

 sue with greater ease. It is very favorable to the moths when they put 

 forth their head and first legs, to find some substance to which they 

 may fasten, and thus facilitate clearing out of the cocoon by the sup- 

 port; for this reason they should be spread out very thin on tables, 

 covered with a muslin or linen cloth. The life of the moth lasts, in 

 Italy, ten, eleven, or twelve days, according to the strength of its con- 

 stitution, and the mildness of the atmosphere. With Mr. Dusar, of 

 Philadelphia, the moths lived from five to eight days. A hot tempe- 

 rature accelerates their operations, and the drying which precedes their 

 death. 



Hatching of the moths, and their preservation. 



Cocoons, kept in a temperature of 66°, begin to be hatched after 

 fifteen days; those kept in a heat between 71°, and 73°, begin to come 

 forth after eleven or twelve days. The room in which the moths are 

 produced should be dark, or at least there should be only sufficient 

 light to distinguish objects. This is an important rule, and must be 

 earefully attended to. The moths do not come forth in great numbers 

 the first or the second day: they are chiefly hatched on the fourth, 

 fifth, sixth, and seventh days, according to the degree of heat of the 

 place in which the cocoons are kept. The hours when the moths burst 

 the cocoons in greatest number, are the three and four hours after sun- 

 rise, if the temperature be from 64° to Q&^. The male moths, the very 

 moment they come out, go eagerly in quest of the female: when they 

 are united, they must be placed on trays covered with linen, and made 

 in such a manner as to allow it to be changed when soiled. Much 

 care must be taken in raising the united moths. They must be held 

 by the wings, in order not to separate them: if this happens, they must 

 be replaced on the tables of the moths of their own sex. Wlien one 

 small table is filled with moths in a state of union, they are to be carried 

 into a small room, sufficiently airy and fresh, and which can be made 

 very dark. Having employed the first hours of the da}' in selecting and 

 carrying the united moths, the males and female^s which are found ?o- 



