THE TUSSEH SILKWORM. 25 



in a wonderful manner, by a thick, strong, consoli- 

 dated cord, spun of the same material by this per- 

 severing creature. 



The cocoon is of an exact oval shape, and very 

 firm in texture : in it the animal remains dormant, 

 and perfectly protected, for about nine months, 

 namely from October until July ; so that it makes 

 its appearance in time for the caterpillars to come 

 into existence, when Providence has furnished 

 them with the greatest plenty of proper food. 

 When the insect is prepared to make its escape 

 and be changed into its perfect state, it discharges 

 from its mouth a large quantity of liquid, with 

 which the upper end of the case is so perfectly 

 softened as to enable the moth to work its way out 

 in a very short time ; an operation which is always 

 performed during the night. In their perfect 

 state these insects do not exist many days : the 

 female deposits her eggs in the branches of the tree 

 she may be resting on, to which they adhere firmly 

 by means of the gluten they are covered with 

 when newly laid. 



The eggs are white, round, and compressed, 



