26 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



with a depression in the centre on each side. 

 They hatch in from two to four weeks, according 

 to the state of the weather. The larvce or cater- 

 pillars acquire their full size, which is about four 

 inches in length, and three in circumference, in 

 about six weeks : they are nearly the colour of 

 the leaves they feed on, with a light yellowish 

 stripe on each side ; under these stripes the middle 

 segments are marked with an oblong gold-coloured 

 speck. The back is also marked with a few round 

 darker coloured spots, from which issue a few long, 

 coarse, distinct hairs, while others of smaller size 

 are scattered over the insect. 



The Tusseh silkworm is found in such abundance 

 over many parts of Bengal and the adjoining pro- 

 vinces, as to afford to the natives a large supply of 

 the durable coarse, dark-coloured silk, already 

 mentioned, commonly called Tusseh silk, which 

 is woven into a kind of cloth called Tusseh 

 doot'hies, much worn by Brahmins and other 

 sects of Hindoos. This substance would no 

 doubt be highly useful to the inhabitants of many 

 parts of America and the south of Europe, where 



