40 THE SILK WORM. 



The foregoing engravings represent the Silk Worm 

 in its various changes and sizes from the egg to the 

 moth. With the aid of the engravings the metamor- 

 phoses and growth of this apparently insignificant in- 

 sect, may be easily traced, from its dormant state in 

 the egg to the construction of its cocoon ; and from 

 thence to the moth, which again deposites its eggs 

 for another generation. They are first of a pale yel- 

 low color, but souri change to a light slate and final- 

 ly to a dull brown. By the color of the eggs it may 

 be determined whether they are impregnated. Such 

 as are not, continue of the original color, and conse- 

 quently are worthless. Those that finally assume a 

 dull brownish slate color, are genuine and should be 

 preserved. 



DISEASES OF THE SILK WORM. 



Silk Worms, like other animals and insects, are lia- 

 ble to disease and subject to death. There are six 

 diseases to which they are liable The Passim The 

 Grasserie The Lunette The Yellows The Muscar- 

 dine and The Tripes. The first of these diseases 

 is attributed to the Worms being too much heated in 

 their early state. The symptoms are shortness and 

 thinness of body and a want of vigor, or appetite. 

 The remedy is to separate the diseased Worms from 

 the healthy ones, by putting them into another room 

 well ventilated, and of a. little higher temperature, 

 and feeding them moderately with tender leaves. 



The Grasserie. The period at which the Worms 

 are most subject to this disease, is before the second 

 moulting, and in the third and fourth ages. It is 

 induced by feeding on food too nourishing for their 

 digestive organs. The symptoms are want of diges- 



