SR aa nas eT 
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were some years ago. 
KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 
97 

RECREATIONS IN SCIENCE. 
THE SILK WORM.—No. I. 
Happy is he who lives to understand 
Not human nature only, but explores 
Aut natures ; to the end that he may find, 
The law that governs each, and where begins 
The union, the partition where, that makes 
Kind and degree among all visible things. 
WoRrDSWORTH. 

HEN WE NOTE WHAT IS 
PASSING AMONGST US day 
after day, and behold the 
indifferent manner in which 
the obligations and duties 
of life are too often per- 
formed, we stand aghast 
at the shallowness of the 
human mind—which, like a horse in a mill, 
goes through its duties as if it were blind- 
fold. Why, the commonest (as we call it) 
of Nature’s Works possesses an interest for 
an inquiring mind that is perfectly delight- 
ful. lt only wants the eye to see it, and 
the heart to appreciate it, to cause its beau- 
ties to shine resplendently forth. Education 
can alone give these—followed by example. 
We are glad however to observe, that the 
apathy of which we complain is beginning to 
be aroused. Things are not now universally 
regarded with the stoical indifference they 
Wholesome Treatises 
on the works of nature have been issued at 
a cheap rate; and an incipient taste for an 
investigation into the Wonders of the Crea- 
tion has begun to manifest itself. Flowers, 
birds, and gardens, now possess a charm, 
which works powerfully on the better feel- 
ings of the human heart ; and there are many 
among our rismg youth who show an 
inquiring spirit which it is delightful to 
encourage.* 
For such,we propose to-day to give our first 
paper on the Silkworm, an interesting little 


* We have often before remarked—that these 
harmless amusements, introduced amongst chil- 
dren, form their character for good or evil in after- 
life. A child really fond of flowers, birds, dogs, 
or indeed any living “‘ pet,” gives indication of its 
becoming a kind and feeling member of society. 
We have noticed this often. Whereas an early 
display of cruelty in children, or an inclination to 
tease, worry, and torture animals, invariably 
leads to evil in manhood or womanhood. Not long 
since, we saw four innocent girls amongst their 
“pets.” One possessed a goldfinch, one a redpole, 
one some pretty little dormice; and the fourth 
three young rabbits. The mutual affection sub- 
sisting between all these, it was really delightful 
to behold. The rabbits in particular, as they ran 
after their young mistress in the garden—at once 
fearless and playful, caused us to regard that 
“happy family” with rapture. Their papa—a 
most estimable man, encourages this amiable 
feeling, and he may well be proud of his children. 
God bless them all! say we.—Ep. K. J. 
Vou. IV.—7._ 
creature that finds favor in the sight of so 
very many of our sons and daughters; and 
the wonders of whose short lives almost 
surpass belief. A little child, when it hears 
the ticking of a watch, labors earnestly to 
break it open—to see whence the sound 
comes, and how it is produced. Shall we 
then, ‘children of a larger growth,” culti- 
vate these worms, and not show an equal 
curiosity to know how they perform such 
miracles as are constantly presented to our 
view? Assuredly not. The little animal 
who spins her soft, her shining, her exqui- 
sitely-fine silken thread; whose matchless - 
manufactures lend an ornament to grandeur, 
and make royalty itself more magnificent, 
must be regarded with admiration ; nor must 
we fail to notice, at a future time, the cell 
in which, when the gaiety and business of 
life are over, the little recluse immures_her- 
self, and spends the remainder of her days 
in retirement :— 
This study, if directed by a meek, 
Sincere, and humble spirit, teaches love ; 
For knowledge is delight, and such delight 
Breeds love. Yet, suited as it rather is 
To thought, and to the climbing intellect, 
It teaches less to love than to aboRE— 
If that be not indeed the HIGHEST LOVE. 
It would be useless for us to tell young 
people where to obtain their silkworms. They 
know this as well—perhaps better than we 
do. Our business is with their habits and 
manner of life. These we shall glean from 
the best authorities. 
The habits of the silkworm are completely 
sut generis, both as regards the times of its 
eating and sleeping. ‘lo ascertain these 
thoroughly, should be an early—the earliest 
study. The silkworm takes no water with 
its food, excepting only what is contained in 
the fresh leaf on which it feeds. If neglected, 
or only fed at long intervals, and during the 
day (even though at such times fed abun- 
dantly), a large portion of the food is thereby 
wasted. The leaves thus for a long time 
exposed becoming dry, the silkworms refuse 
to eat; suffering irrecoverable injury by day, 
and also during the long night, both by 
reason of hunger and tormenting thirst. 
They suffer doubly also from the voracity 
with which they then devour their food in 
the morning. 
But by fresh feeding, at short and frequent 
intervals (by night as well as by day), the 
food is all devoured; and half the quantity 
will suffice, none being wasted. Half the 
expenses of gathering the leaves and of 
cultivation being saved, even less than one 
hundred pounds of these leaves will be found 
amply sufficient for the production of a 
pound of silk. The cocoons thus formed 
will be found large and heavy; the thread, 
or filament, substantial and strong, and not 
H 
