58 COMPLETE INSTRUCTION IN 



very gently), and yon will then see the silk-ducts 

 in longitudinal folds on either side of the worm. 

 Be very careful not to break away the upper 

 ends of the tubes from the spinnerets in the head 

 of the worm, where they terminate. The middle 

 of the duct is about one eighth of an inch in 

 diameter, and tapers down at both ends till it is 

 as fine as a thread of fine silk. The upper ends 

 terminate in the spinnerets, and the lower ends 

 pass over the entire inner surface of the body in 

 folds and coils, while they imbibe the silk-fluid 

 as it is distilled from the mulberry leaves by the 

 action of nature's unerring machine, the body 

 of the silkworm. 



On either side are seen those same eight little 

 round black spots that are seen on the outside, 

 and which serve as breathing-pores. From each 

 of these radiate fine black thread-like tubes all 

 over the side for some distance from the center 

 spot. These carry the air to the body, and keep 

 it in constant circulation, vitalizing or vitiating 

 the whole system of the worm as the air is pure 

 or impure in which the worm rests while doing 

 its important work. 



If the worm dissected be within two days of 

 spinning, the long straight duct that, during life, 

 may be seen passing up and down the whole 

 length of the body, on the back, may now be 



