SiLK-WoBM Gut. 317 



of gut, for leaders, can be produced, than from the Chinese 

 silk-worm; but, while strands of satisfactory lengths have 

 been frequently taken, there seems to be a want of some 

 special knowledge, or a lack of some peculiar skill in the 

 proper treatment or manipulation of the larvae, or the silk- 

 glands, or in the drawing out of the fluid silk, in order to 

 produce the silken strands of the desired strength. 



Dr. Theodatus Garlick, one of the fathers of fish culture 

 in the United States, stated that he had produced strands 

 of from four to six feet in length from the cecropia moth 

 {Platysamia cecropia), which was strong enough for salmon 

 fishing. 



Among those who have been interested in the matter is 

 Mr. Chas. F. Orvis, of Manchester, Vermont, who, having 

 procured a number of cocoons of the two species of native 

 silk-worms, Platysamia cecropia and Telea polyphemus, 

 hatched and raised the larvae very successfully. In an ar- 

 ticle in " Forest and Stream," 1886, December 16, giving a 

 history of his experience, Mr. Orvis says: 



" We drew many strands from both varieties, each worm giving 

 two strands, i. e., one from each sac. Before drawing, we put the 

 worms in a dilute solution of acetic acid, or of weak vinegar, 

 which seems to render it more tenacious. After leaving them for 

 a few hours, they were taken out and drawn to their greatest 

 length, as related in regard to the Chinese worm. The length was 

 all that could be desired, for we obtained from the cecropia strands 

 over three yards (nine feet) long, and from the polyphemus 

 strands nearly as long; and the color was perfection, i. e., deli- 

 cately tinted either green or pale brown, according to the variety. 

 But alas, our hopes were vain; for the next day, when they had 

 dried, we found that they had but little strength compared with 

 the product of the Chinese worm. It could hardly have been in 

 the drawing, for we had previously drawn gut from the Chinese 

 worm, proceeding in the same manner, and it was hard and strong. 

 We drew many strands, but all with no better success." 



