38 



there would probably be many such changes during so long a 

 journey, the changes are greatly in favour of many worms and 

 moths hatching en route. 



As regards the fifth paragraph, the eggs may be made into 

 packets without fear of injury, but I would certainly not advise 

 their being wrapped in cotton, tow, or anything of the kind, as 

 all are heating and liable either to batch the eggs, or to rot them 

 by the steam engendered. 



Let each packet of eggs be placed in a perforated tin box, and 

 these boxes be enclosed in a perforated wooden box ; there could 

 then be no undue pressure upon the eggs, unless the packets 

 were smashed. A better way, however, is to place each kind of 

 eggs, whether on cloth or loose, in a separate unperforated 

 cylinder, with the ends merely closed with fine open gauze for the 

 sake of ventilation ; and these cylinders being duly labelled could 

 then be placed in a perforated wooden box. A little shaking 

 rather does good than harm, as it prevents the eggs from sticking 

 together should sweating occur. 



In recommending what species should be selected, one requires 

 first to know what kind of nourishment has been provided, for 

 there is no use in sending the insects until an ample provision 

 has been made for feeding them ; mulberry trees, for the JBom- 

 byces ; Bicinus communis for Attacus ricin i ; Ailanthus glandulosus 

 for Attacus cynthia ; species of Tetr anther a for Antheroea Assama; 

 of ZyzipTius and other trees for Antheroea paphia, and so on. 

 Supposing, however, that such provision has been made, the best 

 species of Bomlyx to import would probably be _B. croesi, B.for- 

 tunatus, and jB. arracanensis, while as an experiment . Huttoni 

 might be added with strict injunctions to leave it entirely on the 

 trees, for it cannot be cultivated in the house, like a true High- 

 lander preferring coarse fare and liberty to the daintiest treat- 

 ment in captivity. 



Of the wild species, I should recommend Attacus ricini, Attacus 

 cynthia, Antheroea paphia, A. Assama, and, if the oak has been 

 introduced, A. Roylei, of Mussooree ; whether or not the last- 

 named would thrive in such a climate as Australia remains to be 

 proved ; I should have little hope of Bombyx mori and JB. textor, 

 unless a tolerably cool climate can be found. 

 Mussooree, September, 1869. 



From G-. E. MAKGILL, Esq., Officiating Collector of Howrah, 

 to the Commissioner of the Burdwan Division (No. 840, 

 dated Howrah, the 6th January, 1870.) 

 SIR, 



In compliance with your circular No. 134, dated 25th 

 September last, I had the honor to forward, on the 31st Decem- 

 ber and 4th instant, two cases one case containing forty cocoona 



