308 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Construction of the coccoons. 



Hence it may be inferred, that it is doubled just 

 upon its leaving the body, and that the two 

 threads stick to each other by the gummy qua- 

 lity they possess. 



The exterior of the coccoon is composed of a 

 kind of rough cotton-like substance, which is 

 called floss; within the thread is more distinct 

 and even ; and next the body of the aurelia the 

 apartment seems lined with a substance of the 

 hardness of paper, but of a much stronger con- 

 sistence. The thread which composes the coc- 

 coon is not rolled regularly round, but lies upon 

 it in a very irregular manner, and winds off first 

 from one side, and then from the other. If mea- 

 sured, the whole thread will be found about three 

 hundred yards long; and it is so very fine that 

 eight or ten threads are generally rolled off into 

 one by the manufacturers. For this purpose the 

 coccoons are put into small coppers or basons of 

 water, each over a small fire. The ends of the 

 threads are found by brushing them over gently 

 with a whisk made for the purpose,- and in wind- 

 ing they are each passed through a hole, in an 

 horizontal bar of iron placed at the edge of the 

 bason, which prevents them from becoming en- 

 tangled. All the coccoons are generally formed 

 in the course of six or seven days; they are then 

 taken off the branches of heath, and divided into 

 classes. The best are strong, and of a pure un- 

 spotted colour. Some are white, and others yel- 

 low. The good ones are firm and sound, of a 



