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C. C. GOWDEY— ON THE UTILISATION OF AN INDIGENOUS 



further careful investigation. Whether the nests are removed from the food- 

 plant or not, the trees should be pruned so as to have a fresh supply of young- 

 leaves for the larvae of the next brood to feed on, as they will not eat the 

 old tough leaves. 



. The cardinal points to be borne in mind in the rearing of this silkworm 

 are — (1) that the larvae require a large supply of food; (2) that shade is essential 

 for their well-being; and (3) disturbance of the larvae is fatal. 



Treatment of the Nests. 



After the moths have emerged a cut should be made in the outer envelope 

 of the nests and they should then be allowed to soak in water for about thirty 

 minutes. The reason for this, and subsequent, soaking is that the handling of 

 the dry nests is attended by severe irritation of the skin, caused by the hairs 

 contained in the nests. The first envelope is now removed and the nests are 



Fig. 2. — Soaking nests of Anaphe in order to soften the urticating hairs. 



again soaked, after which the second envelope is removed and separated into 

 its several layers. Another soaking is necessary both before and after the 

 removal of the third or parchment-like envelope, so that the nests should be 

 soaked four times in all, After the removal of the third envelope only the 



