LEPIDOPTERA. 375 



as obtained therefrom ; so that it must have been discovered before 

 his days. The usual tradition is, that it was discovered during the 

 reign of Hwangte (B.C. 2640), by his queen. 



The passages in the Historical Classic, in which references to the 

 mulberry and silk are made, are as follows : — In giving an account 

 of Ten-chow, the south-western part of the modern Shan-tung, the 

 writer says, " The mulberry region having been supplied with silk- 

 worms, the people descended from the hills, and dwelt in the plains." 

 On this the commentator remarks : — " The nature of the silkworm 

 is to abhor dampness ; hence is was not till the waters were abated 

 that the silkworms could be reared. The nine regions of China equally 

 depended upon this source of wealth ; but the Ten province alone 

 is mentioned, because it was best adapted for the mulberry." The 

 Classic goes on to say, that the tribute of Ten-chow consisted 

 in varnish and silk, while their tribute-baskets were filled with 

 wove stuffs of various colours." (See translation of the Shoo-king, 

 pp. 91, 92.) 



In speaking of the production of Tsing-chow, the north-eastern 

 part of Shan-tung, the Classic says, that " from the valley of the 

 Tae mountain they brought silk and hemp ; while their tribute-baskets 

 were stored with the wild mulberry and silk." The silk produced 

 from the mountain mulberry is said by the commentator to be so 

 tenacious, that it was peculiarly adapted for harps and guitars. 

 (See translation of the Shoo-king, p. 93.) 



Black silk and chequered sarcenets are spoken of as the pro- 

 duction of Tseu-chow, the southern part of Shan-tung, and the 

 northern part of Keang-soo. (See translation of the Shoo-king, 

 p. 96.) 



The productions of King-chow, the modern Hook-wang, where silk 

 has since been cultivated to a great extent, are spoken of as consist- 

 ing of black and red silks, with silk fringes. (See translation of 

 the Shoo-king, p. 101.) 



The next Classic in which we find any reference to the silkworm 

 is the Chow-le, or Account of the Ceremonies of the Chow dynasty, 

 where it is said, that " the officer who adjusted the price of horses 

 forbade the people to rear the second breed of silkworms in one 

 season," because, in accordance with the views of astrologers, the 

 horse belonged to the same constellation with the silkworms ; and 

 they were therefore considered of the same origin. Conceiving that 

 two things of like nature could not prosper at the same time, the 

 Chinese forbade the rearing of the second breed of silkworms, lest it 



VOL. II. 3 c 



