50 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



waste. Improved methods of reeling have been 

 introduced on the continent, but they are similar 

 in principle to the above. 



Eleven or twelve pounds of cocoons yield about 

 one pound of reeled silk ; and as from 240 to 250 

 cocoons weigh a pound, the number of cocoons re- 

 quired to produce a pound of silk may be estimated 

 at 2,8 17J. The length of filament yielded by a 

 single cocoon is 300 yards, but some have yielded 

 as much as 625 yards. 



The reeled silk is made up into hanks for sale 

 or use. The form and contents, as well as quality, 

 of these hanks, differ greatly, as will be seen by 

 the following wood-cuts. 



HAXKS FROM ITALY. 



