ON SERICICULTURE. 153 



originally by Mons. Guerin-Meneville to 27,000 cocoons pro- 

 duced in 1869, all destined for the production of seed and 

 multiplication of this race. Specimens of these cocoons have 

 been sent to me to show what has been and what may be 

 done. 



The Baron states that he has spent a considerable amount 

 of time and money in studying the peculiarities of this race 

 of silkworms; that he is the inventor of certain methods of 

 cultivation, by means of which success with this worm is 

 reduced to a certainty. These secrets he will not divulge 

 except for a price, and he will be happy to treat with any 

 one desirous of speculating in the culture of this valuable 

 race. 



It is also stated in a daily paper, that a German named 

 Schnell has latterly migrated from Japan to California, and 

 taken with him some Japanese, in order to cultivate the 

 Yama-Ma'i in those regions, which, from accounts that have 

 reached me, are highly favourable. Perseverance, therefore, 

 for a few years longer will solve the question whether the 

 worm can be cultivated successfully in a commercial point 

 of view in any given locality. 



As a pleasm'able reci'eation, the rearing of this insect is 

 exceedingly interesting. In the first place the larva hyber- 

 nates within the egg ; no other instance of this peculiarity is 

 on record; the worm is formed a month after oviposition, 

 yet it does not emerge till the oak-leaves are shooting in the 

 following year; the larva throughout its growth is most 

 beautiful and interesting ; successfully reared, the cocoon is 

 very handsome, and the moth magnificent. About six weeks 

 or more after cocooning, about 6 p.m. the apex of the cocoon 

 will be found moist ; this increases, and about 7.30 p.m. the 

 head of the moth will be seen pushing upwards and sepa- 

 rating the threads; after which the whole piocess of the exit 



