113 [ 175 ] 



Miunication to the Secretary of the Treasury, was part of a parcel pro- 

 duced by worms, the stock of which he has had thirty years, and they 

 were obtained from a maternal ancestor, who had possessed them 

 many years before. During all this long period, no degeneracy has 

 been observed. Let proper care be taken of silkworms, and no de- 

 terioration will take j)lace. The time has passed when the idle reve- 

 ries of Buffo n, Robertson, De Pauw, and others, respecting the ten- 

 dency of nature, "to belittle" and degenerate every thing foreign in the 

 new world, were received as truths. Facts, proud facts, demonstrate 

 not only the gross absurdity of their positions, but the superiority of 

 every American animal and vegetable, when compared with similar 

 productions in the old world. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



GENERAL VIEW OF ALL THE FACTS STATED IN THIS WORK, IMMEDI- 

 ATELY CONNECTED WITH THE ART OF CULTIVATING SILKWORMS. 



In Italy, according to Dandolo, to compose an ounce of eggs of the 

 largest breed of silkworms of four casts, it will require 37,440. If 

 all these eggs produced a worm, and all the worms should live, about 

 373 lbs. of cocoons would be obtained; because 150 cocoons weigh 

 about one pound and a half. 



For an ounce of eggs, of common sized worms, 39,168 will be re- 

 quired, and will yield 162 lbs. of cocoons: for about 360 cocoons weigh 

 a pound and a half. 



For an ounce of eggs of worms of three casts, it will require 42,200 

 eggs, which will yield 105 lbs. cocoons: for 600 weigh a pound and a 

 half. 



From these facts it may be ascertained, by the quantity of cocoons 

 obtained, how many eggs have failed, and how many have died of va- 

 rious ages; it will afterwards be of use in determining which method 

 of rearing the worms Is most favorable to their preservation. Thii'ty- 

 nine thousand silkworms, pi'oceeding from one ounce of eggs, can 

 eat the first day, and lie easily in a space of about twenty inches 

 square. 



Space occupied by iDorms in different ages. 



The worms proceeding from an ounce of eggs, should have a space. 

 in the tirst age, of seven feet four inches square 

 In the second age, of fourteen feet eight inches square. 

 In the third age, of thirty-four feet ten inches square. 

 In the fourth age, of eighty-two feet six inclies square. 

 In the fifth agp, of one hundr;-d and eighty-three feet four inches 

 square. 



