OF INDIA AND ITS ADJACENT COUNTKIES. 411 



only with their fellows. I continued this for three seasons, and found that 

 the dark worms thus produced always remained dark, and the white ones 

 from which they had been separated always remained white. The dark 

 ones were the healthiest and produced the best cocoons, while the white 

 ones often died and the cocoons were not so well formed. In the moths 

 produced by the dark worms, all, both males and females, were white 

 without the band through the wing, but had the small brown double 

 crescent mark on the upper wings. 



2. Bombyx Sinensis (Hutton). Small Chinese or monthly worm of 

 Bengal. 



Habitat. China. Partially cultivated in Bengal, from whence it is 

 said to be fast disappearing, as it is very delicate. It is noted by Captain 

 Thomas Hutton that the monthly worms were not known in India earlier 

 than between thirty and forty years ago, or at least, that they were not 

 there cultivated, and previous to the time here indicated, an annual worm, 

 and it only, was the species under cultivation both in India and Europe. 

 Caterpillar feeds on the mulberry. 



3. Bombyx CRiESi CHutton). The Madrassee or Nistry worm of the 

 Bengalese. 



Habitat. China. Cultivated in Bengal (and also in China), where it 

 yields nine crops of a golden yellow silk. The silk is good, and price, 

 fourteen rupees per seer. Mr. D. W. H. Speed informs us that " the 

 Madrassee or China Pooloo was introduced into India, though, by whom, 

 it is not ascertained, about the year 1780 or 1781, but is degenerating by 

 reason of carelessness and improper management of the worms ; a fresh 

 supply of eggs was two or three years after obtained by a Mr. Frushard, 

 which again falling off immediately his direct superintendence was with- 

 drawn, a third supply was brought by the late Colonel Kyd in 1788, from 

 Canton, which, from the vast increase he effected by personal attention for 

 a considerable time, forms the origin of the present stock of this description 

 of worm. Cocoons monthly between November and June, if attention be 

 paid, but more generally from January to May. Kate of breeding much 

 the same as the preceding, than which it is of a somewhat larger size, and 

 is, perhaps, the most profitable sort of worm, being of shorter life, will 

 feed on indifferent leaf, and is of hardier constitution, that is, less liable 

 to be effected by the vicissitudes so injurious to the other worms." 



- 4. Bombyx fortunatus (Hutton). The Dasee or Dessee worm of the 

 Bengalese. 



Habitat. China. " Cultivated in Bengal, where it is known by the 

 above name — that is, country-worm — -although, be it understood, it is 

 truly Chinese, and not indigenous to India. It yields a golden yellow 

 silk, and produces several crops annually. It is much smaller than the 

 Madrassee, and while the one prefers the warmth of summer, the other 

 prefers the winter months " (Hutton). Stated by Mr, Speed to " cocoon 

 five times in the year, at periods from 40 to 110 days, according to which 

 also is the quality of the cocoon, the longest period producing the best. 



