MOTH. SILK-WORM. 40<> 



as scarcely to be discernible with the naked eye. This singular 

 fact hath been fully investigated by the indefatigable Reaumur, 

 who, after examining many moths, with a strong magnifier, has 

 not been able to trace the smallest vestige of a mouth. A con- 

 siderable number, therefore, of these animals must pass the whole. 

 of their winged state without food; nor can they be destructive to 

 vegetable or animal substances, except while they remain in the 

 form of worms. 



The larves or caterpillars from which the various species of 

 moths are produced, exhibit nearly the same variety of appearance 

 as the winged insects which spring from them. Some are large, 

 while others are extremely minute ; many are provided with ten, 

 others twelve and fourteen feet; the largest and most common have 

 sixteen. Some of the smaller caterpillars are smooth, and others 

 covered with hairs, which produce an itching and an inflammation 

 when they touch the human skin. 



All the caterpillars of phalaenae, after having several times cast 

 their skin, spin for themselves the materials of a habitatiou, in 

 which they are to be transformed into chrysalids. Of all the 

 inventions of insects to protect themselves during this state of 

 imbecility, that practised by the silk- worm is most universally 

 known ; and if animals acquire a consequence or reputaiion from 

 their connection with man, and the conveniences with which they 

 accommodate him, this insect may challenge, perhaps, a larger 

 share of it than any other animal whatever. Our luxury has 

 brought silk into such general request, that it may now be deemed 

 a necessary of life : the poor, in some countries at least, would 

 find it almost impossible to procure the necessary articles of cloth- 

 ing, were woollen stuffs worn by all those who at present are sup- 

 plied with silk. 



The produce of the phalajna mori, or common silk- worm, has 

 been found most proper for the purpose of manufacturing. That 

 glutinous substance with which the silk of this specks is always 

 covered, when it first comes from the worm, and which giv s it 

 that adhesive quality so proper for constructing their edifices, 

 sooner dries than in that of any pther insect. Tne cods con- 

 structed by some other species are so firmly glued together, that 

 no operation can separate the threads. The produce of many is 



