257 



in her work, (La Botanique, Historique et 

 Litteraire) that the Empress Siling Chi, wife 

 to Hoamti, was desired by that emperor to 

 examine the silk-worms, and endeavour to 

 turn their web to some useful purpose, which 

 she did, after various trials and experiments; 

 and by feeding them with mulberry-leaves, she 

 discovered the means of winding the silks, and 

 the making of silk stuffs, which she embroi- 

 dered with flowers and birds. Voltaire states, 

 that the valuable insect that produces the 

 silk, is originally from China, from whence it 

 was carried into Persia, though not until very 

 late, together with the art of weaving the down 

 in which it is enveloped. 



Should a few spirited land-proprietors 

 make the experiment of grubbing up their 

 hedge-rows, and planting fences of mulberry- 

 trees, I have no doubt but that in a few years 

 they would reap as great a profit from their 

 hedges as from their corn. It would find im- 

 mediate employ for many labourers, and 

 would in time require the assistance of thou- 

 sands of the lower classes to gather the leaves 

 and attend to the breeding and feeding of the 

 silk-worms, the winding of the silk, &c. : in>- 

 deed, the whole process is calculated as an 

 employ for the aged and the infirm, who, be- 

 ing uuable to do laborious work, must now, 



