Bombycidae 



reared. In this respect it is like many other domesticated animals. 

 The caterpillar, of which a figure is herewith given, feeds upon 



FIG. 192. Cocoon of B. mori. 

 (After Riley.) 



FIG. 191. Larva of Bombyx mori. (After Riley.) 



the leaves of the white mulberry, and will also feed freely upon 

 the leaves of the Osage orange, an American hedge-plant. The 

 insect was introduced at an early date 

 into the American colonies, but its 

 culture has not as yet risen in the 

 New World to great proportions, 

 though the manufacture of silk from 

 imported material is at the present 

 day an important American industry. 

 The culture of silk is an industry 

 which might be best undertaken 

 and maintained in the Southern States of the American Union, 

 where climatic conditions are wholly favorable to it. The Caro- 

 linas and Georgia appear to fur- 

 nish the best climate for the 

 development of this industry, and 

 it is believed by those who are 

 most conversant with the matter 

 that in time the rearing of the silk- 

 worm may become in these States 

 an exceedingly important and 

 profitable branch of industry. 

 Southern California and Arizona 

 are also likely to become centres in which the growing of raw 

 silk may be successfully pursued. 



FIG. 193. Moth of B. mori. 

 (After Riley.) 



THE HISTORY OF SILK-CULTURE 



The greater portion of the silk of commerce is produced 



by the larvse of the moth known as Bombyx mori. 



316 



The in- 



