-ijS on the silk-wo'fm. May 2. 



period he increases in size to about a quarter of an inch in 

 lehgth. He is then attacked with his first sicknefs, which 

 consists in a kind of lethargic sleep, for about thref days 

 continuance, during which time he refuses to eat, and 

 changes his (kin, preserving the same bulk. 



This sleep being over, he begins to eat again, dutirg 

 five days, at which term he is grown to the size of full 

 half an inch in length, after which follows a second sick- 

 liefs, in every respect like the former. 



He then feeds for other five days, during which time he 

 will have increased to about three quarters of an inch in 

 length, when he is attacked with his third sicknefs. 



This being over, he begins to eat again, and continues 

 to dc so for five days more, when he is attacked by his 

 fourth sicknefs ; at which time he is arrived at his full 

 growth. 



When he recovers this sicknefs he feeds once more, du- 

 ring five days, with a most voracious appetite •■, after which 

 he disdains his food, becomes transparent, a little on the 

 yelloTvilh cast, and leaves liis silky traces on the leaves 

 where he pafses. These signs denote that he is ready to be- 

 gin his cocoon and will eat no more. 



Thus it appears that the whole duration of the life of the 

 worm in this state of its existence, in our climate, is usu- 

 ally about forty-six days •■, twenty-eight of which days he 

 takes food, and remains in his sick, or torpid state, eighteen ; 

 but it is to be observed, that during warm weather the pe- 

 riods of sicknefs are fliortened, andincold weather lengthen- 

 ed above the teims here specified. In very hot climates it 

 mav be said to live faster, and sooner to attain maturity 

 than in these that are colder. From the correspondence of 

 Dr Anderson at Madras, I learn tliat in their climate the 

 worm undergoes its whole evolutions in the space of 

 twenty-two days. It appears, however, that it feeds fully 

 as many days in India as in Europe, the difference being 



