64 THE SILK WORM. 



taken in handling and packing them, that they be not 

 dented or flattened^ as this will seriously damage 

 them. They may be packed in tight boxes or bar- 

 rels, and should be pressed together sufficient to pre- 

 vent their shaking and chafing each other by the mo- 

 tion of the carriage in which they are conveyed ; but 

 not so hard as to alter their form by compression. 



The cocoons and the boxes or barrels, designed for 

 them, should be perfectly dry, otherwise they may 

 contract mould, which would be injurious. Put up 

 in this manner, they may be transported without in- 

 jury, any distance either by land or water. If the 

 journey be long, and made in an open carriage, the 

 boxes, &c. should be covered with a tarpaulin or 

 oil cloth, that they may not be exposed to rains or 

 dews. The same is advisable where they are to be 

 transported by water. 



SUBSTITITED FEED. 



Though the foliage of the Mulberry, is the only 

 natural aliment of Silk Worms, and the only sub- 

 stance on which they can advantageously make silk ; 

 yet there are various other plants, on the foliage of 

 which they will feed and live. The more common, 

 are the lettuce, rose, bramble, dandelion, hop, hemp 

 and fig. It is also said, they will feed upon the leaves 

 of the currant. The Worms may, therefore, be fed 

 with these leaves, when the leaves of the Mulberry 

 cannot be had, for the purpose of keeping them alive 

 until they can be procured. It is supposed there is 

 a resinous matter in the leaves of the Mulberry, which 

 underg nng a change in the stomach of the Worm, 

 enables it to make silk. 



The transactions of the Society for the encourage- 



