26 NOTE. 



of divers provinces of China, and from the reports of Missionaries, 

 the greater part of the silk is produced in the central provinces of 

 China, situated between the 25th and 35th degrees of latitude ; and 

 it is well established by the preceding observations that the mean 

 temperature of these central provinces differs but little from our Pro- 

 vence ; the winters there are a little milder, and the summers rather 

 warmer. 



The quotations in the commencement of the present translation, 

 indicate that the manufacture of silk extended, anciently, to the pro- 

 vinces of the north of China, and it may be presumed that it is not 

 entirely abandoned there now. 



These provinces are, as we have seen, exposed to singular alter- 

 nations of cold and heat ; but the raising of silk worms commences in 

 April, and at that epoch of the year the air is sufficiently warm to raise 

 them throughout China. Their development may yet be aided by 

 the artificial heat described in the work. The cold of winter in these 

 provinces seems very rigorous, yet the mulberry trees do not freeze, 

 but we do not know every species of mulberry possessed by the Chi- 

 nese. When they shall be received, through the care of Mr. Louis 

 Herbert, whom Government sent a year ago to China, it is hoped 

 they will succeed in France, and that they will resist the cold of our 

 climate. 



