SILK WORMS. 97 



precious silk worms. There are few persons that raise silk 

 worms called precious. 



The worms of the fifth class, called Ai-tsan, or cherish- 

 ed silk worms, proceed from the eggs of the worms of the 

 third class, anciently called Hang-tsan. 



When the silk worms (of the first class) called Hang- 

 tchin, have formed their cocoons, in the third month, (April,) 

 the moths appear, and their eggs must be collected. In the 

 seventh and eighth month, the eggs open, and the moths 

 are hatched. A great number of persons raise this species 

 of silk worm. They are called Hang-tsan, or silk worms 

 of the third class. 



When silk worms called Ai-tsan, or cherished silk worms, 

 (of the fifth class,) are wanted, eggs of the worms of the 

 third class, called Hang-tchin, must be taken, and put in an 

 earthen vessel, the dimensions of which should be in propor- 

 tion to the quantity of eggs that are required to be preserved. 

 The opening of the vessel must be stopped up with paper, 

 then the vessel must be placed in a basin, filled with spring 

 water, in order that the cool air may delay the hatching of 

 the eggs. Thus the eggs must be left from three to- seven 

 days ; at the expiration of that time they hatch, and the 

 silk worms can be raised. They are called Ai-tchin, or 

 cherished and precious silk worms ; they are also named 

 Ai-tseu, or beloved children. They are of the fourth class. 



When they have formed their cocoons, the moths come 

 forth and lay their eggs. Seven days after the laying of 

 eggs, they hatch and become silk worms. A great number 

 of persons raise worms of that kind. They are the worms 

 of the fifth class, called Ai-tsan> or cherished silk worms. 



Care must be taken that the water surrounding the vase 

 be of the height of the eggs it contains ; for, if the exterior 

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