48 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



hot countries by exposure to the sun ; but in more 

 temperate climes by artificial heat, such as that 

 of an oven after the bread has been withdrawn. 

 Before the cocoons can be reeled they must be 

 separated from the floss, which is done by opening 

 the floss covering at one end and pushing out the 

 cocoon. Care is taken in reeling to use cocoons 

 of one quality, as different qualities require a dif- 

 erent treatment. 



The natural gum of the cocoons is first softened 

 in warm water, kept at the proper temperature, 

 either by a charcoal fire or by a steam pipe. After 

 remaining in this for a few minutes, the reeler 

 (generally a woman) gently stirs up or brushes 

 the cocoons with a short birch rod, and to this 

 the loose threads of the cocoons adhere, and are 

 thus drawn out of the water : they are then taken 

 commonly four or five together, twisted with the 

 fingers into one thread, and passed through a metal 

 loop, to get rid of dirt and impurities : the thread 

 then passes on to the reel, which is so constructed 

 as to have a slight lateral motion, so that the 

 thread of one revolution does not overlay the 



