76 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



and laid their little yellow eggs on a sheet of 

 white paper, upon which mother put them. 



Jlunt M. Harriet has told us so much, that 

 there is not a great deal for me to tell. 



The silk worm, like most other caterpillars, 

 changes its skin four times, and soon after the 

 fourth moult, (as the changing of the skin is 

 called,) it begins to spin its cocoon. This is 

 composed of three different kinds of silk ; the 

 loose silk which forms the outside is called floss, 

 and is probably designed to protect it from the 

 rain, as you must remember the silk worm was 

 not intended to be reared in the house, but to 

 live in the open air. The second covering is com- 

 posed of fine silk, which keeps off the cold, and it 

 is this portion of the cocoon which is principally 

 used in our manufactories. Immediately around 

 the body of the insect, the silk is made firm and 

 tough with gum, which effectually defends it, 

 both from air and moisture. After remaining 

 a short time in its chrysalis state, it destroys the 

 end of the cocoon, and comes out the beautiful 

 little white moth which Harriet has described ; 

 but this breaks the thread, and it cannot be wound 

 off. Those, therefore, who keep them for the 



