148 DISEASES OF SILKWORMS. 



distemper is of a very contagious nature, and, con- 

 sequently, as soon as it is perceived that a worm 

 has been attacked by the disease, it is immediately 

 removed from among others. An effectual preven- 

 tive, invented by Abbe Eperic of Carpentras, has 

 been in use for upwards of twenty years past, 

 Quick lime is reduced to a fine powder, and the 

 worms are dusted with it, and they are then 

 supplied with mulberry leaves moistened with a 

 few drops of wine, which they greedily devour. 

 It has been found that all which are subjected to 

 this treatment escape the malady. It would appear 

 that the disease has its origin in mephitic vapours, 

 arising from decayed leaves, and that the lime, 

 which has a strong affinity for these gases, may 

 absorb the vapour, and thus render the apartment 

 healthy and pure; which is most satisfactorily 

 proved by the experiments of Mons. Blanchard, 

 which we shall give in his own words. He saysj 

 " Having procured four glass jars, nine inches in? 

 depth and five in diameter, and had cork stopper* 

 fitted to them. In each of these I put twelve silk- 

 worms at the period of their second age ; and these 

 I had fed four times a-day, and confined them in < 

 this kind of prison during their lives, and nevea 

 either removed their dead companions or the linen 

 produced by them. I sprinkled the worms which 

 were contained in two of these jars with lime, and 

 kept the other two in their ordinary state to com- 



