THE TECHNOLOGIST. [March 1, 1865. 



368 ON THE OAK-FEEDING 



In connection with Tasmania, whale fishing is a branch of colonial 

 industry deserving mention. The fishing ground extends from the 

 shores of this noble island to the Antarctic regions, and attracts many 

 foreign whale ships, who rendezvous at Hobart Town. The value oi 

 the produce from the South Whale Fishery, exported in 1861, was 

 60,350Z. At the present time there are twenty-five vessels, with an 

 aggregate tonnage ol 5,746 tons, engaged in whaling from the port of 

 Hobart Town, and 131 whale boats (including fifty-one spare ones), 

 identical in all respects to those exhibited, are attached to these twenty- 

 five vessels, each boat costing, when fitted complete, about 70Z. The 

 boats of the Tasmanian fleet find employment for about 700 men. A 

 colonial writer, in treating of this branch of industry, observes : — 

 " Whale fishing is sometimes attended with great hardship, but being 

 looked on as a colossal aquatic sport, and combining the excitement of 

 bold and perilous adventure with the contingency of a good prize, and 

 promotion according to merit, it has always been a favourite pursuit 

 with the young Tasmanians, from whom might be selected some of the 

 smartest boatmen in the world." 



ON THE OAK-FEEDING SILKWORM OF CHINA. 



BY T. T. MEADOWS. 



The British Consul at Newchang has written an interesting letter to 

 the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, regarding the silk produced in 

 the neighbourhood of that port and the probability of foreigners deriving 

 profit from its exportation. The worms there feed on oak-leaves instead 

 of the stereotyped mulberry, and naturally produce a much coarser 

 thread ; but the Chinese utilize it to a considerable extent. It is in- 

 termixed with cotton, and used for fabricating silk cloth of a rough 

 texture. Dealers come up from the South in junks about the end of 

 March, go into the interior, and advance money to the farmers. Two 

 crops are produced, the latter of which is taken to the coast in the 

 early part of November, shortly before the navigation is closed by ice. 

 As to the quantity annually exported, I have not been able, observes 

 Mr. Meadows, to get any information. My principal informant tells me 

 that from one valley, which is, however, one of the most productive, about 

 eighty cart-loads are taken away annually. Each cart carries ten 

 baskets, which, from his description, must each contain fifteen cubic feet. 

 That would give about 12,000 cubic feet of loosely-piled cocoons from 

 that one valley. What I myself know is, that the production in the 

 whule region could be quadrupled in a few years, if the entering of 



