— 4 — 



relative to your Report and the samples of Mauritius Silk which 

 accompanied it. As you are ever energetic in advancing science 

 in your colony,! have Cliought I might assist you a little on this 

 point of " Sericiculture " thinking from the universal failure of 

 the Silk supply that it might benefit that colony, which is in- 

 twinned with my dearest recollections, to add this industry to 

 its other resources, as being easily and cheaply carried out by 

 female labour. Mr. Dickson's pamphlet which I sent you out 

 by last Mail would clearly lay before you every particular re- 

 lative to the Silk supply market, of the great and greater scar- 

 city of the true Silk owing to the nearly universal disease (1) 

 among the tvwQ Bomby.v Mori species, except in South America 

 and parts of Japan. This has led to many scientific men seek- 

 ing for other Silk spinning insects to assist in replacing to 

 some degree the delicate B. Mori, and in Hungary and other 

 suitable parts, there are large Farms for breeding all the fo- 

 reign varieties as well as the B. Mori, so that the progeny 

 are hard'er and more acclimatised than tliose from Cocoons 

 brought direct from China or Japan. 



I have been recommended the following kinds as best and 

 most easily sent to the warm colonies, vizt : Bomhyx Mori (or 

 Mulberry eating Silkworm) which is, I buppose, what you al- 

 ready possess; the Bomhyx. Cecrojna, this is a very beautiful 

 kind, both as Caterpillar and Moth ; it is hardy but delights 

 in warmth and not so fastidious in its food — here feeding on 

 many of our Eosaceous Emit trees, besides on "Willows and 

 Maples. The Bomhyx. Periiys — this has the advantage of be- 

 ing in J^ortli China (its habitat) double hrooded, feeds on all 

 kinds of the Querctis (Oak) species, is very hardy, handsome, 

 grows rapidly and is easy to rear, only requires, like Cynthia, 

 a dry atmosphere and 'jood ventilation. And the valuable 

 Bomhyx Yavia-Mai from Japan — this feeds on all the many 

 varieties of Oak too. The Turkey and Japanese and Ever- 

 green Oaks, I should say vvould grow well in the cool_^elevated 

 parts of your island, aa they are too delicate here, except in 

 very favorable situations. The B. Oaks make most symme- 



(1) A species of Parasite called Mnscardine which according to Dr. 

 Haasall riddles the whole vrorm and leaves a heap of Mould in place of the 

 absorbed and disorganised animal. 



