78 



the reel, that the different layers do not lie parallel to, nor 

 upon, but cross one another. This is owing to the 

 mechanism of the apparatus, and if particularly con- 

 trived to effect this object, which is essential to the 

 perfection of the process, and one to which the acknowl- 

 edged superiority of the Italian silk is to be ascribed. 

 It is effected by the see-saw motion of the distributing 

 rod, which depends upon the relative proportion be- 

 tween the axle and pulley; without this crossing, the 

 threads, from thpir gummy nature, would inevitably ad- 

 here and render the subsequent windings and twistings 

 of the silk very difficult ; this sticking together of the 

 silk is called glazing. But the mechanism abovemen- 

 tioned of the distributing rod, prevents the threads ly- 

 ing over each other upon the reel until after it has made 

 many revolutions, and the former threads have dried. 

 During this time the exposure of the threads to the air, 

 causes the first layer to completely dry, and hence no ad- 

 hesion between them can take place. 



The effect of the irregularity of the movement caused 

 by the distributing rod is also to imitate in the unravel- 

 ing of the cocoon, the same method employed by the 

 silk caterpillar in forming it ; for it is a fact, that the 

 silk fibres of the cocoon are spun on it in zigzags, 

 like those formed by the silk reel, and consequently 

 the operation of the reel is an imitation of nature, of 

 which the industry of the caterpillar instructed by her is 

 the prototype. Mr Nouaille says, that a woman at Novi, 

 (Italy,) experienced in the buisness with the assistance 

 of a girl to turn the reel and attend to the fire under 

 the cauldron, can with ease reel off one pound of silk 



