SATURNIA MYLITTA. 149 



whom we are indebted for the above information, 

 as well as for what follows, * does not live for more 

 than from six to twelve days, at least in a state of 

 confinement. It takes no nourishment whatever, 

 not having any mouth or channel by which food 

 could be received. When the female is impregnated, 

 she deposits her eggs on the branches of the tree 

 she may be resting on, to which they adhere firmly 

 by means of the gluten they are covered with when 

 newly laid. 



This insect is a native of Bengal, Bahar, Assam, 

 &c. The caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the 

 Rhamnus Jujuba (Byer of the Hindoos), and on 

 those of Terminalia alata glabra, known to the 

 Hindoos by the name of Asseen. It is found in 

 such abundance over many parts of Bengal and the 

 adjoining provinces, as to have afforded to the 

 natives, from time immemorial, an abundant supply 

 of a most durable, coarse, dark-coloured silk, com- 

 monly called Tusseh-silk, which is woven into a 

 kind of cloth called Tussey doot'hies, much worn by 

 Bramins and other sects of Hindoos. The following 

 more detailed account of this interesting and valu- 

 able insect, is from a letter published by Dr. Rox- 

 burgh, which was written by Mr. Atkinson to a 

 Mr. Pope of Mahometpore. In reply to the ques- 

 tions that had been addressed to him, the writer 

 states : — 



" 1st, That the cocoons of the insect, which feeds 

 on the Byer leaf, are called by the natives Bughy, 

 * See Linnean Trans., vol. vii. p. 33. 



