RESOURCES OF AMERICA, SILK, ETC. 409 



the insect feeds. It is peculiar to the districts of Dinagepore and 

 Rangpore, in the interior of Bengal, where it is reared by the na- 

 tives in a domestic state, as they do other silk-worms. The Palma 

 Christi is largely cultivated in India, as it is also in many parts of 

 France and some other countries, for the abundant produce of oil 

 which is obtained from its seeds, which is known in commerce as 

 the Castor oil. This plant is therefore cultivated for the double use 

 of seeds and also of its leaves. 



The cocoons thus produced are remarkably soft, and white or yel- 

 lowish, and the filament is so exceeding delicate, that it cannot be 

 wound, as are other cocoons, but must" be spun like cotton. The 

 cloth woven of this substance, is white, coarse, and of a seemingly 

 loose texture, but of incredible durability. It is used for the clothing 

 of both men and women, and will wear constantly for ten, fifteen, or 

 twenty years. The merchants also use it for packing fine cloths, 

 shawls, and silks. Hot water dissolves its texture, causing it to 

 tear ; it is therefore washed only in cold water. 



The Arrinda or Eria silk is reared in Assam, as in almost all Hin- 

 doostan, but entirely within doors. It is fed principally on the Hera, 

 or Palma Christi. It affords a fibre which at first looks rough, but 

 after repeated washings becomes soft and silky. The poorest people 

 of Hindoostan are clothed with this material, which is warm, and of 

 incredible durability, the whole lifetime of a single person being 

 seldom sufficient to wear out a garment made of this silk, which de- 

 scends from mother to daughter for generations. Twelve broods of 

 this silk are sometimes raised in a year. In Assam alone, 80,000 

 pounds of this silk are annually produced. 



The Palma Christi flourishes in all the states of the south, and as 

 far north as the latitude of Boston. 



7. Tusse.h, or Wild Silk-Worm of India. This is a species of silk- 

 worm which cannot be domesticated. They are so abundant in 

 many parts of Bengal, and the provinces adjoining, as to have af- 

 forded to the natives of those countries, and particularly to the Bra- 

 mins, from time immemorial, considerable supplies of a most durable, 

 coarse, dark-colored silk, which is woven into a fabric called Tus- 

 SKh-dootie. 



This species of silk-worm might, it is supposed, prove highly use- 

 ful to the inhabitants of the south of Europe, arid also of the Southern 

 States of America, where a cheap, light, cool, and durable dress is 

 much wanted such a dress as this siYfc affords, and such as is worn 

 by the Brarnins of India. Once introduced, they would probably 

 flourish, unaided by the care or assiduous attentions of man. 



In the province of Assam, in Hindoostan, Asia, which has lately 

 Cuine into the possession of the British power, amongst other pro- 

 ductions hitherto unknown, there have been found about a dozen 

 species of silk-worms, which produce the materials for valuable 

 fabrics, including also the Arrinda. 



8. The Muga Silk-Worm is never domesticated, or reared in 

 houses ; they feed on the leaves of a variety of trees. The eggs are 

 laid on wisps of hay, which are collected and placed on the trees, 

 where they soon hatch ; plantain leaves being tied around the bot- 

 tom of the tree, over which the worms will never pass. When a 

 tree is stripped of its foliage, they descend, and are removed to other 

 trees, by means of dishes of bamboo attached to poles. They feed 



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