90 HOW I KILLED THE TIGER. 



reared once in the year (originally brought from 

 Italy, now almost extinct) and yielding its produce 

 from only the middle of March till April. 2nd. 

 The indigenous silk-worm of Bengal, of which the 

 cocoons are obtained throughout the year, that is, 

 there are eight collections annually; of these, 

 the worm of the cold weather, or November 

 breeds, are superior to the others from the more 

 nourishing nature of the leaves at those seasons. 

 3rd. The China silk-worm, introduced into Bengal, 

 which are next in estimation to the annual and 

 country breeds. 4th. The Choto Cocoon, which 

 gives a strong fibre, but the threads are nibby ; 

 of these there are eight collections. 



The manufacturing treatment of the silk, when the 

 labours of the silk-worm are over, is as follows. When 

 the crop of cocoons is complete it is gathered from 

 the bamboo trays, and about one-sixtieth part is set 

 aside for the production of eggs, the finest cocoons 

 as to web and colour being selected for this purpose. 

 A difference, of weight generally determines which 

 are the cocoons of male, and which of female 

 insects ; the latter are heavier and rounder than the 

 former. The cocoons intended to produce eggs are 

 preserved in a very dry room, and in about ten days, 

 they loose in weight to the amount of 7^ per cent. 

 The main crop of cocoons is next sorted into nine 

 qualities, known in the factories as : I. Good 



