The Lords of the Committee of Council on Educa- 

 tion think it desirable to direct public attention to the 

 Collection illustrative of the Wild Silks of India which 

 forms a part of the Indian Section added to the South 

 Kensington Museum in December 1879; and they have 

 accordingly requested Me. Thomas Waedle, who has for 

 several years paid special attention to the subject, to prepare 

 this Handbook. 



They trust that this work may not only add largely to 

 the interest of the Collection, but that it may lead to the 

 further development of one of the most wide-spread and 

 important natural productions of the Indian Empire, 

 and thus be a means of increasing the material prosperity 

 of Her Majesty's Indian subjects. 



South Kensington Museum, 

 August 1881. 



