THE AILANTHUS SILK-WORM. 



533 



hank of soft yellow fibre. The coloring 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 

 (Bombyx fo rtun dtus\ 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 valu ble insect is 

 also cultivated in Bengal, by the name of BORO POLOO (Bombyx textor). The cater- 

 pillar 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 (Anthtrea 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 



AILANTHUS SILK - WORM.- Attocus Cynthia. 



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, and 

 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 glandulo- 

 sus), which, although imported from warmer climates than our own, grows well and fast 

 in this country, and has been firmly acclimatized. Rearing the Ailanthus-moth is one 

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



