212 S Y L V A BOOK II 



the former years sprigs, or old wood, which are not 

 only rude and harsh, but are annex'd to stubb'd stalks, 

 which injure the worms, and spoil the denudated 

 branches. One note more let me add, that in first 

 hatching the eggs disclosing (as sometimes) earlier 

 than there is provision for them on the tree, the 

 tender leaves of lettuce, dandelion or endive may 

 supply, so they feed not on them too long, or over- 

 much, which gives them the lask. 



12. This is what I thought fit to premonish con- 

 cerning the gathering of the leaves of this tree for 

 silk- worms, as I find it in Monsieur Isnard's Instructions, 

 and that exact discourse of his, published some years 

 since, and dedicated to Monsieur Colbert, (who has, it 

 seems, constituted this industrious and experienc'd 

 person, surveyor of this princely manufacture about 

 Paris) and because the book it self is rare, and known 

 by very few. I have no more to add, but this for our 

 encouragement, and to encounter the objections which 

 may be suggested about the coldness and moisture of 

 our country ; that the Spring is in Provence no less 

 inconstant than is ours in England ; that the colds at 

 Paris are altogether as sharp ; and that when in May 

 it has continued raining for nine and twenty days 

 successively, Monsieur Isnard assures us, he proceeded 

 in his work without the least disaster ; and in the 

 year 1664, he presented the French King his Master, 

 with a considerable quantity of better silks, than any 

 Messina or Bononia could produce, which he sold 

 raw at Lions, for a pistol the pound ; when that of 

 Avignon, Provence, and Dauphine produc'd little 

 above half that price. But you are to receive the 

 compleat history of the silk-worm, from that in- 

 comparable treatise, which the learned Malpighius 



