49 



eggs, the dead moths frequently hanging to them, and 

 presenting a very curious appearance. 



The caterpillar moults four times, and when fully grown 

 is about 3^ inches long. 



According to Mr. Hugon, the natives soften the cocood 

 in potash, and draw the silk off roughly with the fingei 

 and thumb, thus making a kind of spun silk. Dr. Buchanan, 

 however, says the silk is also wound on a reel in Dina- 

 gepore. 



M. Guerin Meneville stated, in 1860, that it was impossible 

 to reel this cocoon. I am certainly disposed to think it is quite 

 impracticable to reel it. Still there is a method of using at 

 hand, and I know of no silk better adapted for spinning. 



Dr. Heifer, in 1837, states in the Journal of the Asiatic 

 Society in Bengal, that this worm is so productive as to 

 give sometimes twelve broods of silk in the year, and that 

 it grows rapidly, and offers no difficulty whatever for an 

 extensive speculation. 



Mr. Geoghegan says, with regard to the thread from 

 cocoons of Attacus ricini, that a seer of 96 sicca weight 

 (2^^-lbs.) of this thread is worth from annas 12 (one 

 shilling and sixpence) to R. 1 (two shillings) ; but it is 

 very seldom sold, and the people who keep the insect rear 

 no more than is just sufficient to make clothes for their own 

 families. 



Mr. Michael Atkinson, of Singapore, describes the cloth 

 made of Eria to be of incredible durability, the life of one 

 person being seldom sufficient to wear out a garment made 

 of it, so that the same piece descends from mother to 

 daughter. 



The thickness of this fibre is y^ of an inch on the 

 outside of the cocoon, and y^xr m the inner part. For 

 other particulars see table on page 68. 



Mr. Hugon says that, " in Assam, the quantity of Eria 

 " cloth the merchants used to take away was very con- 

 " siderable, but in the latter years of the Assam Rajah's 

 " rule, from the disorganised state of the country, the 

 " number of merchants gradually diminished. The quantity 

 " the country is capable of exporting under an improved 

 " management would be very large, for it forms at present 

 " the dress of the poorer classes at all seasons, and is used 

 " by the highest for winter wear. 



" So long ago as 1 769 vast quantities were being produced 

 in the country around Guraghaut." He estimated the 

 anuual production at 1,000 maunds, or 82,000 lbs. " In the 

 " district of Dunung the annual yield of Eria is 1,000 



Q 325.5. D 



