FORMATION OF THE COCOONS. 79 



SECTION XXIX, 

 FORMATION OF THE COCOONS. 



WHEN the silk-worms become transparent, and of a 

 clear pearly color ; when they cease eating and run to 

 and fro, looking upwards or trying to ascend ; when 

 their skins about their necks become wrinkled, and 

 their bodies have a softness to the touch resembling soft 

 dough, and their backs become unusually shining ; when 

 the green circles round the body contract and be- 

 come of a bright gold color, these are sure indications 

 that they are prepared for their last work of forming the 

 cocoons. Then and not before, the arbors are formed 

 from the brush. or twigs of the oak, with the leaves on, 

 which had been before provided ; and the silkworms are 

 concentrated to half the space occupied by them before. 

 The leaf of the oak is strong, and the cocoon is sepa- 

 rated from it without injury by crumbling the leaf. 

 These should be cut arid dried three weeks previous, 

 and preserved in readiness till required. They are 

 placed around the edges of the frame upright with the 

 top spread, forming arbors 15 inches or more in width, 

 with circular heads. 



It is important to attend particularly to the prepara- 

 tion of the hedges or receptacles for spinning: If the 

 air be too much impeded, or the insects too much 

 crowded, many of the cocoons will be double or other- 

 wise imperfect, or the silkworm may be suffocated be- 

 fore its labors are completed. Mr. Gideon B. Smith, 

 of Baltimore, prefers broom corn, which is placed press- 

 ing against the shelf above and in a spreading position. 

 The oak leaves are used by Mr. Cobb. Dr. Pascalis 

 has found that two hurdles formed of split canes or 

 rattans and secured together by hooks and staples at 

 top and bottom, and placed vertically, a little inclining, 



