AILANTHUS SILK-WORM. 'Attacus CjtUJMo. 



yellow fibre. The colouring matter is very variable, sometimes being hardly visible, and 

 at others giving the silk a bright orange tint. It fades much on exposure to light. 



Among the many silk-worm moths may be mentioned the DASEE-WORM of Bengal 

 (Bombyxfortundtus), an insect that makes an inferior silk, with which the bales are often 

 adulterated unless the owner or purchaser is very careful in examining them. The silk is 

 yellow, and there are several crops annually. A much more valuable insect is also 

 cultivated in Bengal, by the name of Bono POLOO (Bomlyx textor). The caterpillar is 

 small, and the cocoon of proportionate dimensions. The silk is very good, and of a pure 

 white. One of the commonest insects reared by the same nation is the TUSSER or TUSSEH 

 of the Bengalese (Antherea Pdphia), called by different names by the various tribes which 

 cultivate it. It is very abundant, and as it is hardy and feeds on many kinds of food, is 

 a truly valuable insect. It supplies the natives with great part of their clothing, and is 

 even imported into England. There are several large manufactories of this silk, the most 

 important of which is at Bhagulpore. The habits of this insect seem to vary much 

 according to the locality. 



The AILANTHUS SILK-WORM has lately attracted great attention in this country, an<k 

 appears likely to supersede the ordinary silk-worm in many respects. It is a native of 

 China, and has been largely used for the purpose of supplying clothes for the people. As 

 the name implies, the caterpillar feeds upon the Ailanthus tree (Ailanthus glandulosus], 

 which, although imported from warmer climates than our own, grows well and fast in this 

 country, and has been firmly acclimatised. Rearing the Ailanthus-moth is one of the 

 easiest of processes, the caterpillars remaining quietly on the trees and spinning their 



