268 BERMUDA. 



graia of mustard-seed ; their colour when first laid is 

 yellow, but in three or four days after they acquire a 

 bluish cast. 



The whole of the curious changes and labours which 

 accompany and characterize the life of thg silkworm are 

 performed within the space of a very few weeks. 



The three successive states of being put on by this 

 insect are, — that of the worm, or caterpillar ; that of the 

 chrysalis, or aurelia; and that of the moth. In addition 

 to these more decided, transformations, the progress of the 

 silkworm in its caterpillar state is marked by five distinct 

 stages of being. 



When first hatched, it appears as a small black worm 

 about a quarter of an inch in length. Its first indication 

 of animation, is the desire which it evinces for obtaining 

 food ; in search of which, if not immediately supplied, it 

 wiU exhibit more power of locomotion than characterizes 

 it at any other period. 



In about eight days from its being hatched, its head 

 becomes perceptibly larger, and the worm is attacked by 

 its first sickness. This lasts for three days, during 

 which time it refuses food, and remains motionless in a 

 kind of lethargy. At the end of the third day from its 

 first refasal of food, the animal appears, on that account, 

 much wasted in its bodily frame, a circumstance which 

 materially assists in the painful operation of casting its 

 skin. This it very soon proceeds to accomplish. 



This moulting is so complete, that not only is the whole 

 covering of the body cast ofi", but that of the feet, of the 

 entire skull, and even the jaws, including the teeth. 



In two or three minutes from the beginning of its 

 eiForts", the worm is whoUy freed, and again puts on the 



