ITALIAN METHOD OF CULTURE. 



47 



less a sign of uneasiness or pain. When nearly 

 all the silk is wound off, there still remains a 

 transparent film 

 like silver paper, 

 which is torn 

 open to let out 

 the chrysalis. The 

 latter is imme- 

 diately buried in 

 bran, where it 

 remains very qui- 

 etly for a week 

 or two, then changes into a cream-coloured moth, 

 lays its eggs, and dies. This is the common 

 domestic treatment when silkworms are kept for 

 amusement, but in a commercial establishment 

 such as those of Italy, they are very differently 

 treated. 



The cocoons are collected in large quantities, 

 separated and sorted according to their quality, 

 about one-sixtieth part being saved for the pro- 

 duction of eggs, after which the life of the chry- 

 salis is destroyed in all the rest. This is done in 



FEMALE SILKWORM MOTH AND EGGS. 



