8 PREFACE TO THE 



teen yards of gros-de- Naples, the nett cost of which will be 2 3$ 7d 

 sterling. From one ounce of eggs it is possible to obtain one hundred 

 and sixty- five pounds weight of cocoons: in Italy, one hundred pounds is 

 the average quantity. Each healthy cocoon, as it is gathered, contains 

 more than the seventh part of pure cocoon ; but the quantity of reeled 

 silk obtained seldom averages more than one twelfth of the weight. 

 Two hundred and forty, to two hundred and fifty cocoons weigh one 

 pound. The proportion of mulberry leaves consumed to the pure cocoon 

 produced, is eighty-seven pounds to one; and the proportional weight of 

 mulberry leaf and of reeled silk is as one hundred and fifty-two to one. 

 The length of thread of a single cocoon is stated by different authors to 

 be from three hundred yards to six hundred and twenty- five. The weight 

 three and a quarter English grains. According to these data, which are 

 given more in detail in Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia, it is found one 

 pound of reeled silk requires twelve pounds of cocoons; that rather more 

 than twenty-eight hundred worms are employed in forming these cocoons, 

 and that to feed them one hundred and fifty two pounds of mulberry leaves 

 must be gathered. This pound of reeled silk will make sixteen yards of 

 gros-de- Naples, ordinary quality, or fourteen yards of the best descrip- 

 tion. 



In the history of this branch of industry the fact is developed, that in 

 every country, where it has been introduced, from the Celestial Empire to 

 Western Europe, the fostering care of Governments has been extended 

 and needed for the attainment of success. The art itself, in its infancy, 

 like the feeble insect whence it is derived and supported, appears inca- 

 pable of more than a sickly and unprofitable existence, without the aid of 

 superior intelligence, and superior care. The chronicles of a long line 

 of Chinese Emperors show their paternal solicitude, in their decrees, 

 wherein the Empress is enjoined to set an example in her own person to 

 the empire, by attending to the rearing of silk worms. Under the auspi- 

 ces of Justinian, and his peculiar care, the culture of silk was introduced 

 into the Roman Empire. It was at first a Royal monopoly ; but did not 

 long remain so; soon spreading to Greece, and particularly in the Pelo- 

 ponessus. Roger I, King of Sicily, after his successes in Greece, 

 transported a considerable number of captive silk- weavers from that coun- 

 try, whom he compulsorily settled in Palermo, and obliged them to impart 

 to his subjects a knowledge of their art. In such high esteem was the 

 manufacture of silk in Venice, that the business was considered a noble 



