HABITATIONS, HURDLES, &C. 67 



tify or expel a stagnant and moist atmosphere ; render- 

 ing it at once, more healthy and electrical. A stove, 

 also, for heated air, or provided with a common funnel, 

 will be useful, as it will serve, on any extraordinary oc- 

 casion, to warm the apartment, in case of" long and cold 

 storms, which sometimes occur, and may be of occa- 

 sional use; although I am assured, that in our climate, 

 and in Connecticut, fire is never used in the apartments 

 of silk-worms : still its occasional use may be necessary 

 for their comfort, as it inspires new life. 



In the great laboratories of Italy, Count Dandolo has 

 directed that broad fire places should be placed, one at 

 each corner, and two on each side of the centre, and a 

 stove of stone or tile in the middle, in preference to 

 stoves of iron. But now, and in France, they are warmed 

 at times by hot water in pipes of iron. 



In case of extreme cold, we have the remedy always 

 at hand. But when the sun pours down its rays with 

 the most intense heat, there is no remedy but to throw 

 wide open the doors, the windows, and the ventilators, 

 and close the blinds, except artificial currents of air are 

 produced. 



During hot nights, also, the windows are kept open 

 from evening till morning, except in damp or wet wea- 

 ther. Yet the greater danger being from cold, on the 

 slightest indication of a cold night, you may light up a 

 fire in the fire place or stove, and renew it if necessary. 



The insects are fed on thin boards or hurdles; these 

 should be three feet in width, and six in length, run- 

 ning lengthwise of the apartment, and supported by 

 ranges of posts. To prevent the access of destructive 

 ants, the posts may be immersed in basins of water, or 

 the whole staging may receive its support from iron 

 wires or rods, suspended from the timbers above. 



The buildings for. sheltering and feeding the silk- 

 worms are called in France a wagnatieric, and in Italy, 

 at the present day, they are called dandolicres. Impro- 

 perly with us, they are sometimes called cocoonieres, a 

 name which only belongs to the building where the 



