LEPIDOPTERA. 



241 



ing in Europe other silk-producing Bombyces, if not with the view of 

 superseding, at least as auxiliaries to the mulberry species. The 

 genus Attacus has furnished these auxiliaries. Among the species 

 which have, in this respect, the greatest claims to our attention, we 

 must place in the first rank those which feed upon the leaves of the 

 oak tree. Indeed, the trees which can be made use of for their 

 cultivation are very numerous in Europe, and, moreover, the silk 

 produced by these worms appears to possess superior qualities. 



There are three oak-feeding species of the genus Attacus. They 

 are Yama-Mm, Fentyi, and Mylitta. 



Fig. 221,— Larva of Attacus (Bombyx) Yama-MaT. 



The silk of Yama-Mdi is as bright as that of the mulberry silkworm, 

 but a little less fine and strong, and occupies the first rank after it. If 

 we could succeed in acclimatising this species it v/ould supply any 

 deficiency there might be in our crops of ordinary silk. 



The eggs of the Attacus Yama-Ma'i were brought from Japan — 

 where this worm is reared — conjointly with the mulberry silkworm, in 

 1862. The larvae hatched at Paris, in 1863, were green, of a great 

 size, remained in that state eighty-two days, and were easily reared. 

 Their cocoon resembles that of the mulberry species. It is compo.sed 

 of a beautiful silk of a silvery whiteness in the interior, and of a more 

 or less bright green on the exterior. The moth is very large and 

 beautiful, of a bright yellow colour, approaching orange. 



