59 



and valuable, and the yarns and cloths resolved from these 

 staples were of such a character that I feel sure it can only 

 be a question of a short time to develop the carding, spin- 

 ning, and weaving of these silks into a most' useful and 

 extensive industry, if it is possible in India to have a co- 

 extensive production of Eria and Muga worms. 



In the case of the Eria the staple obtained from the 

 first draft's operation is glossy, long, and very fine. 

 (See specimen, 1st draft, No. 58, in the Collection at the 

 Indian Museum.) Its fineness is owing to that of the 

 ultimate fibre. It is about one half finer than Tusser 

 silk, although not more than two thirds as fine as the 

 Bengal mulberry-fed silk of Bombyx mori, or silk of 

 commerce. The after or shorter drafts are also of much 

 importance as showing the economising of the shorter 

 fibres after the longer ones have been removed. These are 

 used for less important manufactures than the long staple. 

 Nothing is Avasted in the modern mode of spinning. The 

 yarns made of these fibres are of great regularity and fine- 

 ness, proving this silk capable of uses, for spinning and 

 weaving purposes to an unlimited extent. 



It would not be worth while to waste time in encou- 

 raging efforts to wind or reel the Eria cocoon. Its proper 

 and simple destination is the carding frame, and from thence 

 to be spun. This is the only way to develop it into an 

 extensive industry, and one for which, on account of the 

 modern spinning machinery, a lai'ge demand is already 

 waiting. 



Woven cloths of great strength and durability can be 

 made from yarns spun from Eria silk, and these cloths 

 appear to take printing matter very well. (See the undyed 

 fabrics woven in a variety of designs, Nos. 64, 65, and 66 in 

 the Museum collection.) 



The staple produced from the Muga cocoon is excellent. 

 The silk appears to be naturally of a much darker colour 

 than Eria, but I am not sure if this is not owing to cir- 

 cumstances that may be controlled. 



The woven specimen comes out of the loom very much 

 darker than I anticipated, and does not bleach so well as 

 Eria. It promises, however, to be a most useful and 

 valuable silk, if it can be obtained or cultivated in quantity. 

 Any quantity, however large, would be easily bought 

 up for spinning. Mr. Blair, of Glasgow, informs me that 

 he has sent out to Assam for a ton of Muga cocoons 

 for experimental purposes. I think it will prove to take 



