On the Growth of Silk. 283 



Dandolo, as embraced and exemplified by M. Bonafous of Pied- 

 mont. This last document is so perfectly devised for application 

 to any quantity or proportion of silk to be obtained in small or large 

 nurseries, that numerous editions of it have been rapidly exhausted 

 throughout the European silk districts ; and it literally embraces eve- 

 ry detail which can be desired in a book of practical instructions. 



Still Dr. Pascalis finds fault with the method or system of the no- 

 ble Italian culturist, for the following reasons. 



1. Because this method supposes, that heat to a great degree is ab- 

 solutely necessary, and recommends it to be obtained by the blaze of 

 light wood fires, incessantly renewed. Our author on the other hand 

 avers, that this is dangerous in cottages and country huts ; and that 

 heat is always the greatest source of diseases among the insects : it 

 is proved also that a moderate summer heat is the best and safest 

 temperature, and the only one required. 



2. Because the apparent success of the above method is attributed 

 solely to the renewal or purification of the confined air of nurseries ; 

 whilst in truth, it should be referred to a more abundant renewal of 

 atmospheric electricity. 



3. Because Dandolo prescribes fumigations in the nurseries, or the 

 formation of artificial gases, that may chemically decompose other 

 floating aerial impurities ; which exj^edient has been, is, and will 

 always be, an unphilosophical argument, or mode of ascertaining what 

 specific element is necessary for animal life, or for the preservation 

 from diseases. 



4. Lastly ; because demonstrative proofs are adduced, that not 

 only atmospheric air is not the direct element required for the vital- 

 ity of the insect, but in fact that during a considerable part of his life, 

 it must remain absolutely sequestered from its contact, (vid. pps. 38. 

 39. 40. Vol. n.) 



From these premises and consistently with his own view of the 

 subject, the author enters into the exposition of what he entitles : 

 The American method of rearing silk-worms ; conducted and de- 

 tailed in eight chapters. 



To each volume of the practical instruction, a number of the silk 

 culturist is affixed ; this appears to have been intended as a period- 

 ical publication to be continued, should the progress of our industry 

 evince its expediency and necessity, or provide for it the necessary 

 support. Such a journal must be highly important and useful to our 

 commercial and agricultural interests, as it would embrace all matters 



