60 



their cocoons, they are collected together ; and a suffi- 

 cient number being reserved for breeding, the remain- 

 der are placed in layers in large earthen jars with salt, 

 in the proportion of one fortieth part of the whole weight 

 of cocoons between the layers. The whole being cov- 

 ered with large dry leaves, the mouths of the vessels are 

 closely stopped. 



The long shining cocoons produce silk of superior 

 quality. These are separated in reeling, by the Chinese, 

 from those cocoons of a thick form and dark color, 

 which are of an inferior quality. 



In China, and in Han Choo Foo, according to Sir 

 George Staunton, women only are employed in the fab- 

 rication of flowered and embroidered satins, and vast 

 numbers are employed in very extensive factories. 



In the hot climate of India, the silk-worms are reared 

 and sheltered in buildings, and beneath sheds, of an open 

 and airy structure; the sides being composed of lattice 

 work, arid the roofs covered with thatch ; their 

 breadth being generally fifteen feet, with a path through 

 the centre of sufficient width. The height is usually 

 eight feet or more, and on either side, and one above 

 another, and in tiers of from 12 to 16 deep, are the sta- 

 gings formed of shelves or shallow boxes, formed of bam- 

 boo, in which the silk-worms are placed. The posts 

 which support the stagings rest in basins of water, to 

 protect them from ants. When the silk-worms are ready 

 to form their cocoons, they are transferred to cells form- 

 ed of platted bamboo. 



Formerly, it had been the practice in many parts of 

 Europe, to enclose a couple of ounces of eggs in a silk 

 or cotton bag, which was worn in the bosom next the 

 skin, and at night was placed beneath a warm pillow; 

 after three days, the eggs were carefully transferred to 

 thin shallow boxes these being placed between warm 

 pillows, the heat of which was frequently renewed, as 

 the silkworms were expected to appear towards the 

 fourth day. 



