46 Z THE MOTHS. 



placed in heated ovens, where the lllk, without fingnla? 

 caution, is apt to be damaged. In our climate, where 

 every progreflion of the infeft tribe is flower, there is 

 fufficient time to wind oiF the lilk without kiHir.g the 

 chryfalis. 



But befidc the injury that may be done to the filk in 

 Italy, from the length of time which it is neceffary to 

 keep the chryfalis in thefe ovens, they are theie obliged 

 to fuffer the moth to eat its way out of the largeft cones, 

 in order to have eggs from the molt vigorous and healthy. 

 Hence, they lofe all the filk of thefe cones ; whereas, in 

 this CGuatry, the filk may be gathered while the moths 

 are preferved. Thus, we feem to poffcfs two ftriking ad- 

 vantages, which may probably compenfate for the want of 

 others which our climate has denied us. 



Even the climate, however, of England is in fome re- 

 fpects fuperior to thofe where lilk is raifed. In the fouth 

 of France, the frofts are often fo jntenfe as to kill the 

 mulberry leaves after they are out. At that feafon of the 

 year, this is feldom the cafe in South Britain ; which is 

 alfo more free from lightning, and thofe fultry heats 

 that have always been deemed prejudicial to the filk 

 worm. From thefe confiderations, the time may pro- 

 bably arrive, when our countrymen, by farther know- 

 ledge and experience upon this fubjecl, may be enabled 

 to avail themfelves of thefe advantages, and become en- 

 titled to a rank as diftinguifhed among the raifers, as that 

 which tliey have long held among the, manufadlurers of 

 fiik. 



The filk worm, however, is perhaps far from being the 

 only infect of whofe labours man might avail himiclf. 

 There are many fpecies very common, and immenfely 

 fertile, that might be beneficially employed in procuring 



filk. 



