GROWTH OF THE SILKWORM. 109 



Mulberry is the species the most generally employed for this 

 purpose. It is a tree which grows to the height of fourteen or 

 fifteen feet ; it flourishes very well in all soils, and it is culti- 

 vated with success even in the north of Europe ; but it never 

 grows wild anywhere. The Mulberry came originally from 

 China. Two Greek monks introduced it into Europe towards 

 the middle of the sixth century, at the same time with the Silk- 

 worm. Its cultivation was soon spread in the Peloponnesus, 

 and gave to this part of Greece its modern name of Morea. 

 Thence the Mulberries and the Silkworms were conveyed into 

 Sicily under the direction of King Roger, and acquired a rapid 

 extension in Calabria. Some French gentlemen who had accom- 

 panied Charles VIII. into Italy during the war of 1494, having 

 known all the advantages which that country derived from this 

 branch of agriculture, wished to bestow the same upon their own 

 country ; and brought some Mulberry trees from Naples, which 

 they planted in Provence and Dauphine. About thirty years 

 since, the first of these trees planted in France was still to be 

 seen at Allan, near Montelimart. At present the Mulberry 

 trees cover a large part of the south of France ; they are even 

 cultivated in the north ; and the success of some recent attempts 

 appears to show, that they might be profitably cultivated in 

 England. 



629. Silkworms remain in the larva state for about thirty- 

 four days ; and during this time they change their skins four 

 times. The time comprised between these successive changes, 

 constitutes that which the cultivators call the different ages of 



o 



these little animals. At the approach of each change they 

 become dull and cease eating; but after having cast off the skin, 

 their hunger is increased. The quantity of food which they 

 consume rapidly increases. It is computed that for the larvae 

 proceeding from an ounce of eggs, there must be generally about 

 seven pounds of leaves during the first age, which lasts five days; 

 twenty- one pounds during the second period, which only conti- 

 nues four days ; seventy pounds during the third period, which 

 continues seven days ; two hundred and ten pounds during the 

 fourth age, whose length is the same as that of the third age ; 



