4.6o THE MOTHS. 



of the fmaller caterpillars are fmooth, and others covered 

 with hairs, which pi-oduce an itchinefs and an inflamma- 

 tion, when they touch the human fkin *. 



All the caterpillars of phalaenae, after having feveral 

 times caft their ikin, fpin for themfelvcs materials of a 

 habitation, in which they are to be transformed into 

 chryfalids. Of all the inventions of infe£ls to proteft 

 themfelves during their Hate of imbecility, that pradlif- 

 ed by the filk worm is mofl univerfally known ; and if 

 animals acquire a confequence or reputation from their 

 connexion with man, and the conveniencies with which 

 they accommodate him, this infedl may challenge, per- 

 haps, a larger (bare of it than any other animal whatever. 

 Our luxuiy has brought filk into fuch general requeft, 

 that it now may be deemed a neceffary of life : The 

 poor, in lome countries at lead, would find it almoft im- 

 poffible to procure the neceffary articles of clothing, were 

 Wi§llen Huffs worn by all thofe who at prcfcnt are f up- 

 plied with filk. 



The produce of the common filk worm has been found 

 mofl proper for the purpofe of manufadluring into cloth : 

 That glutinous fubftance with which the filk is always 

 covered when it firlt comes from the worm, and which 

 gives it that adhefive quality fo proper for conflrudting 

 their edifices, fooner dries than in that of any other in- 

 feft. The cods conflrufted by feme other fpecies are fo 

 firmly glued together, that no operation can feparate the 

 threads. The produce of many is by far too fine for any 

 purpofe in our manufaftures, while that of another clafs 

 is too coarfe. 



Several 



'* Ideni; Tom. L 



