212 THE CALIFORNIA 



sume two hundred and twenty-three pounds ; from this 

 time, their appetites daily lessen, until the tenth day, 

 when they consume only fifty-six pounds. The silk- 

 worms, which at their time of birth occupied but nine 

 feet of the hurdles, now require two hundred and thirty- 

 nine feet of space, and the whole quantity of food con- 

 sumed is about sixteen hundred pounds. 



According to another account of Mr. Bonafoux, two 

 hundred thousand silkworms were sustained xm seventy- 

 two hundred pounds of leaves ; but it is admitted that 

 a certain quantity of leaves were given in the inter- 

 mediate meals, which were not reckoned in the account ; 

 also, that in the first stages, the leaves were chopped, 

 which enables the silkworms to consume them without 

 waste. 



Other and authentic accounts make the amount of 

 food consumed even less than five thousand pounds. 

 We will admit nine thousand pounds ; but much must 

 necessarily depend on care, and economy in feeding. 



The quantity of food consumed, depends also in some 

 measure on the season ; if that be moist, the leaves will 

 contain less nourishment, and consequently more weight 

 of food will be required; but if, on the contrary, the 

 season be dry, less quantities will be required, as the 

 leaves contain much more nourishment. Something 

 also depends on the species or variety of mulberry 

 which is used. The Morus undticaulis has no gross or 

 coarse fibers. It is fouud that a less quantity of food 

 of this species will suffice for the precious insects. The 

 same may be said of the Mvrus moretti, which con- 

 tains in proportion more nourishment. 



