HINTS ON SILKWORM-REARING IN THE PON JAB. 



of the worm, is cast off. A new tender skin is developed, 

 and the worms grow considerably in size : 



First stage. On emergence from the eggs the worms 

 are small, black and hairy (plate II, fig. 2). On the third 

 day the worms appear stronger and with less hair. This 

 stage lasts for five days, then the worms moult : this takes 

 a day (plate II, fig. 1), 



Second stage. (Plate II, fig. 3) The worms lose the 

 hair on the body and become greyish in colour. They 

 become bigger in size. They remain in this stage for 

 about 5 days and then begin to moult again (plate II, fig. 4). 



Third stage. (Plate II, fig. 5.) The worms become / 

 quite smooth and hairless ; generally they are white but 

 some may be black or have black stripes. This stage lasts 

 for about a week, and during this period the worms grow 

 considerably : then they moult again (plate III, fig. 1.). 



Fourth stage. (Plate III, fig. 2.). This is a critical 

 stage in the development of the worms. Diseases due to 

 bad seed or want of hygienic care of the worms appear 

 during this period. It lasts for about six days and then 

 the worms moult for the last time. 



Fifth stage* This is the last stage prior to the spin- 

 ning of cocoons ; the worms become large with fat bodies 

 (plate IV, fig, 1). 



They feed for eight or nine days, when they become 

 translucent yellow in colour and are ready for spinning 

 (plate IV, fig. 2). 



Signs of moulting are a cessation from feeding, the en- 

 largement of the head and the elevation of the forward 

 third part of the body. The skin becomes shiny and threads 

 of silk appear on the litter, by means of which the body 

 become attached to leaves. The worms lose their vivacity, the 

 head assumes an upright position, and the worm goes to 

 sleep. They generally remain in this condition for about 

 twenty-four hours. Nothing should be done to disturb them 

 during this period. 



20. Pull directions have already been given as to the ^ Q man 

 management of the eggs. Similar instructions are now given 



