SILK GROWER'S MANUAL. 211 



sumed ; in the second, twenty-one pounds ; in the third , 

 sixty-nine pounds and twelve ounces ; in the fourth , 

 two hundred and ten pounds ; and in the fifth, or after 

 the fourth moulting, one thousand two hundred and 

 eighty-one pounds. In the consumption of their food, 

 their progress, though irregular in the detail, is uniform 

 on the whole. On the third day from their birth, they 

 consume three pounds of leaves ; on the /our/A, but one 

 pound and six ounces ; on the fifth day, they begin to 

 cast off their skins, and being sick and torpid, they con- 

 sume but six ounces ; in their second age, and on the 

 first day, they consume four pounds eight ounces, thus 

 atoning for previous abstinence ; on the third day, 

 seven and one-half pounds ; but on the fourth day, 

 comes on the moulting sickness, and they cat no more 

 than two and one-half pounds ; in the third age, and 

 first day, they consume six and three-fourths pounds ; 

 on the second day, twenty-one and one-half pounds; 

 on the third day, twenty-two and one-half pounds ; on 

 the fourth, twelve and one-half pounds ; and but six 

 and one-half pounds* on the fifth day ; on the sixth 

 day they become sick, and take no food, this being 

 a critical period. They cast their skins for the third 

 time. On the first day of the fourth age, twenty- 

 three and one-fourth pounds are consumed; but on 

 the seventh day they eat absolutely nothing, and are 

 again torpid, this being the critical period. They 

 cast off their skins for the fourth time. In the fifth age 

 and first day, they consume forty-two pounds ; on the 

 sixth day, they become most of all voracious and con- 



