OF SILK. 197 



The reafon of Teparating the males and 

 females, and not waiting till they uncouple 

 of themfclves, is, becaufe their vigour be- 

 ing now but of fliort duration, the female 

 fliould have time to lay her eggs while flie 

 remains in ftrength, whereas, if you left 

 them to uncouple of themfelves, they would 

 frequently not do it in lefs than two days,-, 

 elpecially in the more temperate climates. 



You fliould vifit the moths at times, 

 while they are paired, and fliould bring 

 together tliofe that wander out of the way, 

 and thofe which uncouple too foon, that is 

 to fay, in an hour or two, that they may 

 pair a fecond time. 



Before the moths are unpaired, whether 

 they do it of themfelves or by your means, 

 you fhould have in readinefs proper ma- 

 terials for the females to lay their eggs on. 

 The fitteft things for this purpofe are the 

 leaves of the walnut-tree, or rufhes, v>^hich 

 laft you may cut to the lize of any broad 

 drawer, and fpread fo as to cover its bot- 

 tom. From both thefe you can with great 

 eafe feparate the eggs, in order to preferve 

 them in little boxes till they aie to be 

 hatched in the enfuing fpring -, but do not 

 by any means let the moths lay their eggs 

 O 3 upon 



