INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



was beneath it. As the silkworm spins its web 

 by thus bending the fore part of the body back, 

 and moves the hinder part of the body in such 

 a way only as to enable it to reach the farther 

 back with the fore part, it follows that it incloses 

 itself in a cocoon much shorter than its own body, 

 for soon after the beginning the whole is continued 



THE COCOON, 



(A portion of the floss silk has been removed.) 



with the body in a bent position. From the fore- 

 going account it appears that with the most simple 

 instinctive principles all the ends necessary are 

 gained. If the silkworm shifted its position much 

 at the beginning of the work, it could never 

 enclose itself in a cocoon ; but by its mode of 



