SILK. 175- 



tree, Prunus ; the Evergreen Oak, Quercus Ilex ; and Prunus Padus, or 

 the Wild Bird Cherry. 



Dr. Wallace, dealing with the qualities of the cocoons, says : " There 

 are nine different qualities. 



" 1. Sons cocons (good cocoons), which have been brought to per- 

 fection. These are by no means always the hardest, but are compact, 

 free from spots, and of a good shape. 



"2. Cocons pointus (pointed cocoons) have one extremity rising in a 

 point. These, after affording a little silk in reeling, break or tear at the 

 point, where the thread is weak, and they cannot be wound further, as 



/ * 



Fig. 115. Silkworm cocoons. 



the fracture would occur as often as the thread reached the weak 

 point. 



"3. Cocons foibles (weak cocoons) are rather larger than the regular 

 cocoons, but do not contain more silk, their texture being less compact.. 

 These are separated from the other kinds, because in reeling they must 

 be immersed in colder water in order to avoid any furzing or entangling 

 in the operation. 



4. Cocons doubles (double cocoons). The threads of these are so 

 mixed that frequent breakings occur in reeling, and often they cannot 

 be reeled. In any parcel the proportion will reach from 1 to 5 per 

 cent., which is the highest allowed without reduction in price. 



" 5. Cocons satines goufflons (flossy cocoons). These are very 

 imperfect cocoons with a loose texture, sometimes to such a degree that 

 they are transparent. These cannot be reeled. 



" 6. Cocons ouverts (perforated cocoons), as their name denotes, have- 



