SATURNIA CYNTHIA. 145 



cient of the cocoons from their hand, it is twisted 

 by this piece of wood spinning round, and when 

 well twisted, it is wound round the wood, and ano- 

 ther length let out from the hand. The cocoons are 

 spun wet, but only with cold water. The cloth is 

 woven in small pieces in a loom, and is as coarse as 

 light vitree, but more open ; and on being washed 

 and beaten well, is made very soft and pliable. It 

 is entirely confined to the districts of Dinagepore 

 and Rungpore; no other place in Bengal having 

 got it. Its uses are for clothing, for both men and 

 women. It will wear constantly ten, fifteen, or 

 twenty years ; the merchants also use it for packing 

 fine cloths, silks, or shawls. It must, however, be 

 always washed in cold water; if put into boiling- 

 water, it makes it tear like old rotten cloth. There 

 is a cocoon produced wild upon the mango-tree, 

 which they gather, and mix with Arrindy cocoons 

 in spinning. I have only seen one caterpillar of 

 it, and did not succeed in rearing it. I shall in- 

 quire for some, and get a drawing made, if possible, 

 as they cannot be sent or carried to any distance." 



