THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE TUSSEH SILK-MOTH. 



Anther^ea Paphia, Hilbner. 

 Anther^ea Mtlitta, Hilbner. 

 Attacus Mylitta, Blanchard, 

 Saturnia Mylitta, Westwood. 



One of the earliest notices of the insect which produces the Tusseh silk 

 of India was given by Rumphius. Later it is noticed by Dr Roxburgh, 

 who states that it is the Bughy of the natives of the Burbhoom hills, where 

 the silk which the same people call Tusseh is manufactured. The Tusseh 

 moth is said to be a native of Bengal, Bahar, Assam, &c, and feeds upon 

 the leaves of the Byer (Rhamnus jujuba) and the Asseen {Terminalia alata 

 glabra, Boxb.). " They are found in such abundance over many parts of 

 Bengal and the adjoining provinces, as to have afforded to the natives, from 

 time immemorial, an abundant supply of a most durable, coarse, dark- 

 coloured silk, commonly called Tusseh silk, which is woven into a kind of 

 cloth called Tusseh dhooties, much worn by Brahmins and other sects of 

 Hindoos." Atkinson states that this species cannot be domesticated. The 

 hill-people say that they go into the jungles, and under the Byer and 

 Asseen trees they find the excrement of the insect ; on which they 

 examine the tree, and, on discovering the small worms, they cut off 

 branches of the tree sufficient for their purpose, with the young brood upon 

 them : these they carry to convenient situations near their houses, and 

 distribute the branches on the Asseen tree in proportion to the size 

 thereof ; but they put none on the Byer tree. The Pariahs, or hill-people, 

 guard the insects night and day, while in the worm state, to preserve them 

 from crows and other birds by day, and from bats by night. It is very 

 abundant in the Bhaugulpore district, where the cocoons in their proper 

 seasons are collected by cartloads for the manufacture of the Bhaugidpore 

 or Tusseh silk. Col. Sykes is of opinion that this is the Kolisurra silkworm 

 of the Deccan. The cocoons are extensively used by matchlock-men, cut 

 into thongs, as ligatures for binding the matchlock barrel to the stock. 

 The thongs are more durable than those of leather. 



According to Lady Isabella Gilbert, " Tusseh moths are hatched twice 

 in the year, in May and August. The larvse go into the chrysalis state in 



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