March 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



SILKWORM OF CHINA. 3G9 



foreigners into the trade should give sufficient inducement to the culti- 

 vators. 



I have sent down samples and submitted them to Mr. Major, the 

 inspector of Messrs. Jardine and Matheson's silk establishment at 

 Shanghai, and he is of opinion that, notwithstanding its coarseness, it 

 could be used with advantage in manufacturing the coarser kinds of 

 silk fabrics in Europe. The yield is infinitely less, inasmuch as 20 lb. 

 of cocoons only give 1 lb. of silk against 5 lb. or 6 lb. which are reeled 

 from a similar quantity of ordinary Chinese cocoons. 



" Of the value of these cocoons" Mr. Major remarks, " I can say nothing 

 before I get a sufficient number of them to make 2 lb. or 3 lb. of silk, say 

 at least four times 1,500 cocoons, and know exactly what they cost in 

 dollars or taels at Shanghai ; but I think it will be worth while making 

 such a trial and sending the produce to Lyons or London (there is more 

 skill in Lyons) to be dyed and manufactured into goods. 



" Besides this, it is requisite to ascertain — 



" 1st. How often does this worm sleep while feeding ? 



" 2nd. Is the worm fed on the mulberry leaf, of which Mr. Meadows 

 speaks, of this same species (that feeds on oak leaves), or bred of the 

 usual China silkworm eggs ? I should much like to see a few cocoons of 

 worms fed on mulberry leaf there. 



" 3rd. An experiment ought to be made of this breed (eating oak 

 leaves) to ascertain what they come to when fed in a more congenial 

 climate on mulberry leaves. If I could get an ounce of eggs of the 

 first (July) crop, I would willingly attend to their feeding myself. The 

 eggs ought to be sent here during the winter, protected from frost, but 

 not kept near a fire or in a too warm cabin ; 66° Fahrenheit would be 

 too hot, or the utmost they would bear. 



" It strikes me that this species of silkworm may turn out of the 

 greatest consequence in restoring the silkworm breed in Europe, now 

 quite lost, and even in restoring the silkworm of China, which I find 

 also greatly deteriorated, to a more healthful state (this, however, is 

 almost hopeless, considering the Chinese character). In all nature, too 

 much and long-continued culture degenerates a breed ; then new 

 strength and vigour is acquired by cross-breeding with a healthy kind 

 of the same species. 



" Now, this worm gives me the impression of being very strong and 

 healthy. It would be a great boon to the silk trade and industry to 

 introduce any such means. 



" New seed has for years been tried from all parts of the world in 

 Europe, but to no effect ; the whole family of one and the same race 

 seems to have outlived itself by constant generating in the same family, 

 at an enormous rate, to supply our augmented and constantly growing 

 luxury. 



" In Naples I tried, during three years, cross-breeding the old Euro- 

 pean breed with the usual China worm, and that with very good 



