3Q2 THE SILK-WORM. 



various flies, which, as soon as they are hatched, force 

 an internal passage, and secretly destroy the springs of 

 life. 



OF THE SILK-WORM. 



The real history of this animal was unknown among 

 the Romans until the times of Justinian » and it is sup- 

 posed they were not brought into Europe until the be- 

 ginning of the twelfth century, whpn Roger of Sicily 

 brought workmen from the manufactory in Asia Mi- 

 nor, after his return from the Holy £,and, and settled 

 them in Sicily and Calabria. 



The silkworm is now known to be a large whitish 

 caterpillar with twelve feet, and producing a butterfly 

 of the moth kind. The cone on which it spins is 

 formed for covering it while it continues in the aureliq, 

 state ; and several of these, properly wound off an 4 

 combined together, form those strong and beautiful 

 threads which are woven into silk. 



There are two methods of breeding silk-worms, for 

 they may be left to grow and remain at liberty on the 

 trees where they are hatched, or they may be kept in 

 a place built for that purpose, and fed every day upon 

 fresh leaves. The first method is adopted in China, 

 Tonquin, and other warm climates ; and the latter is 

 practised where there is a less degree of natural heat. 



In countries where the care of the silk-worm becomes 

 a matter of consequence, from promoting an essential 

 branch of trade, a room is chosen with a southern 

 aspect ; and, in the middle, four pillars or posts are 

 raised, w}jich form a large square, on which different 

 rows of hurdles, one above the other, are carefully 

 placed. As soon as the worms are hatched, they are 

 jregularly proyidec} with a fresh succession of young 



