THE CYNTHIA SILK-WORM. 315 























Brooklyn, were laid on or about the 18th of May, last year. 
and without any central depression. I found them white, 
streaked with black, and the depression very obvious. The 
eggs commenced hatching out on the first of June, making 
about twelve days in the egg. The caterpillar is yellow, 
with transverse rows of black dots; head, black. On the 
6th of June occurred the first moult, the yellow color bright- 
ening somewhat. On the 11th of June, the second moult, 
the color lighter, almost white. After the third moult the 
color is white, with black spots; the head and legs yellow. In 
fact, the body is covered with a very fine white powder. It 
has been objected to the Bombyx mori that it must be raised 
within shelter, secing that exposure to heavy rains is inju- 
tious to it. Now Cynthia stands exposure to the wet 
admirably, as I had perfect satisfactory proof last year, the 
m good stead in a storm. Moreover, a certain amount of 
Moisture is necessary for it. The caterpillar drinks greed- 
ily, and, in the event of indoor culture, I advise that the 
ches, when served fresh, should either be dipped in 
or sprinkled abundantly, particularly after the third 
oult. 
T need hardly impress upon the mind of any one likely to 
“id this paper, the absolute necessity of keeping the cater- 
pillar well fed ; but it may be as well to forewarn everybody 
at these creatures have excellent appetites, which “grow 
with what they feed upon.” This is peculiarly observable 
towards the close of the caterpillar life, say after the last 
afg when the craving seems to be insatiable. For those 
ses have the opportunity of doing so, after the third moult, 
nia à good plan to place the caterpillars on low ailanthus 
y > m the open air. Of course they are liable to destruc- 
a on by birds, as well as by parasitic flies = but seyan 
them ve a large quantity, and it is' inconvenient to fi x 
under shelter, this plan may be adopted. Last year 
From description, I had expected to find the eggs white, 
above-named white powder, as it is conjectured, standing it 
=< 
