REARING SILKWORMS. 



13 



When the worms pass through the fourth molt, 

 they are very soft and limp, and remain some- 

 times for hours without eating. They gradually 

 gain appetite, and in a couple of days are well 

 filled out and lively, have clear white or yellowish 



Sixth Day of Fourth Molt. 



skins, and for six or eight days are voracious 

 eaters. Then they seem to lose appetite, and lie 

 in one place on the trs^ys, or else roam atout in 

 search of a place to spin the cocoons. Before 

 they are absolutely ready to do this, all the waste 

 matter or excrement is expelled from the body, 

 and the worms, in consequence of this fact, are 



Seventh Day of Fourth Molt. 



less in size, and have assumed a semi-transparent 

 appearance, and seem like little sacks of silken 

 fluid. 



/ During the life of the silkworm, it secretes from 

 the mulberry leaf not only the soft, beautiful 



