28 



It is a fallacy, held by some entomologists, that the worm 

 in all species, both. Bombycidai and Saturniidce, twists or 

 spins the two threads together as it forms them at the 

 orifice of its spinnarets. The two threads are simply laid 

 side by side. It would be impossible to twist the two 

 threads without the worm itself revolving continuously 

 with the emission of the silk, or having spinning wheels 

 at the secreting orifice. I propose, therefore, to change the 

 word " spinnaret," which conveys an inaccurate impression, 

 and substitute for it that of " seripositor." 



CHAPTER VI. 



New and Improved Processes of Reeling, Spinning, 

 Dyeing, and Printing Tusser Silk, with Account 

 of its Uses. 



Leaving now the more beaten track of the natural 

 history side of the question, I come to speak of its 

 merchantable and art side. 



In 1874 I had the honour to receive a communication 

 from Sir Louis Mallet, Under Secretary of State for India, 

 asking me to communicate, " for the information of the 

 " Government of India, any details I might be in a position 

 " to furnish on the subject of dyeing the wild silk pro- 

 " duced by the Tusser worm." 



On my report being received I was requested to make 

 a full investigation of the subject, which divided itself 

 naturally into two heads — a consideration of the silk, and of 

 tinctorial matters. For the first, I found the raw Tusser silk 

 as it comes into this country to be prepai-ed by the natives 

 of India and China in such a rude and filthy state as to 

 interpose unnecessary obstacles to its taking the dyes. 

 I felt sure that cleaner and more skilful methods of reeling 

 and preparing the silk for the market would be accom- 

 panied by less resistance to tinctorial matter, as well as 

 furnishing a greatly improved quality. At my request, 

 orders were issued for the collection in the different pro- 

 vinces of India of a complete assortment of native dyestuffs 

 as well as a complete supply of Tusser silk. 



In recommending the Government of India to have the 

 natives taught the dyeing of their wild silks with dyestufi's 

 indigenous to India, I had two motives, one to prevent the 

 native art of India being tampered with by the introduction 



