180 Silk Manufacture. 



pressed in the middle, as if tightened by a ring or ligature. The 

 reason given for attentions to these particulars, is the belief that 

 worms producing such balls are of strongest constitutions. Count 

 Dandolo was of opinion that too much stress is laid upon this 

 point, and that all cocoons which are perfectly formed are alike 

 desirable for breeding. For this purpose an equal number of 

 males and females must be preserved. The former are distin- 

 guishable by being sharper at the ends, and this, although an un- 

 erring guide, proves sufficiently correct for all practical purposes. 

 These cocoons are sometimes spread in thin layers on tables : but 

 it seems a better practice, and one more generally adopted, is to 

 string them together on a thread, care being taken not to pass the 

 needle too deep into the silk. These strings, three or four feet 

 in length, are then hung in festoons out of the reach of vermin. 

 The floss is, in this case usually removed, as it is found to oppose 

 additional difficulty to the moth in its extrication. 



' In making the selection of cocoons for breeding, so as to in- 

 sure the object of maintaining the number of his silkworms, the 

 cultivator considers it necessary to set apart one sixtieth of his 

 whole produce. This shows how considerable must be the loss 

 sustained in this branch of the pursuit. If all the eggs produced 

 by this proportion were found productive, the brood would by 

 their means be trebled in the following season. 



' The next proceeding is that of destroying the vitality of the 

 chrysalides in those cocoons which are to be reeled. Various 

 methods are employed for this purpose, according to the nature 

 of the climate; the solar rays being in some instances found suffi- 

 cient, no artificial means need then to be resorted to. In this 

 case, a calm and cloudless day is chosen, and the cocoons are left 

 exposed to the scorching beams of the sun, during four or five 

 hours in the middle of the day. They are next closely inwrapt 

 in coarse cloths which have been exposed to the same heat, black 

 cloths being chosen preferably on account of their absorbing a 

 greater quantum of heat. These processes being seperated during 

 several days, the destruction of the insect is usually attained. It 

 is not safe, however, without examination, to confide in its effica- 

 cy; lor this trial a few chrysalides must be stripped and pricked 

 with a needle. If upon this they give no sign of animation, it may 

 be safely concluded that their suffocation has been perfected. 



' In more temperate regions artificial means must necessarily be 

 employed, and recourse is therefore had to the heat of steam, or 

 of an oven; and most frequently the latter method is adopted, 

 although there is no reason to doubt that the other, provided it 

 could be efficaciously applied by means of convenient apparatus, 



