ON SERICICULTURE. 117 



branches in-doors, nearly all died off in three days, no par- 

 ticular reason to be given, as all instructions were carefully 

 carried out. If any reason could be found, perhaps they 

 had too moist ^ leaf, from the branch absorbin<^ the water 

 too quickly; but in three or four days more those on the 

 oak bushes under gauze were attacked in the same way, and 

 perished by dozens. To save the remainder, I removed 

 them a long distance off to some oak bushes netted in, and 

 affording both succulent food and shelter from the sun. No 

 use; they died off continually, hanging in black putrid 

 masses by their hind claspers. I have only, at this moment, 

 two very large ones, each in a separate bag on an oak 

 bough ; four diseased ones, and about ten others in a bag on 

 a Turkish oak; these latter not escaping the disease any 

 more than their neighbours." 



Another gentleman from Bandon, Co. Cork, writes: — "I 

 received forty-two picked eggs, and subsequently about 100 

 more inferior ; about forty-four hatched out from April 25 to 

 May 20; eight I gave away, four strayed; two met with an 

 accident; fourteen died soon after coming out; eleven died 

 diseased; five spun. They were fed in-doors on the common 

 oak boughs, the ends placed in water, and changed with the 

 water every second day; fresh leaves were always given 

 dry; the temperature was not particularly noticed, but much 

 higher than usual; the room faced west, and was 10ft. 

 long by 9 broad, and 10ft. high; window nearly always 

 open, but protected by gauze lest birds should enter; the 

 door generally open; five cocoons were spun from June 25 

 — July 17; a great many of the newly-born worms died; 

 many only succeeded in getting their heads out of the shell. 

 I noticed that the worms dislike hot sunshine. I am sure 

 I could have reared many more but for the heat, which has 

 been greater here than for the last twenty years. During 



