144 



INDIAN METHOD OF TREATMENT. 



So favourable is the climate of India to the con- 

 stitution of the Phalcena Mori, or Common Silk- 

 worm, that they are reared in sheds, and not in 

 houses as in China. They are constructed of lattice- 

 work, with thatched roofs. They are generally 

 fifteen feet broad, and their height from eight to 

 nine feet, and length according to the number of 

 worms to be reared. In the centre of the building, 

 a path of convenient width is left for the free pas- 

 aftge of those who tend them. On each side of this 

 passage are erected twelve tiers of frame-work, 

 made of bamboo, in the form of shallow boxes. In 

 these the caterpillars are placed; and when they 

 are fed their full time, and ready to spin their 

 cocoons, they are separated, each into a cell formed 

 of plaited stripes of bamboo ; and when their cocoon 

 is completed, they are subjected to nearly the same 

 mode of treatment as in China. 



