332 DIRECT BENEFITS DERIVED FROM INSECTS. 



ries grew in his kingdom as well as in Italy, resolved, in 

 opposition to the opinion of Sully, to attempt introducing 

 it, and fully succeeded. 



The whole of the silk produced in Europe, and the 

 greater proportion of that manufactured in China, is ob- 

 tained from the common silk-worm ; but in India consi- 

 derable quantities are procured from the cocoons of the 

 larvae of other moths. Of these the most important spe- 

 cies known are the Tusseh and Arindy silk-worms, of 

 which an interesting history is given by Dr. Roxburgh 

 in the Linnean Transactions*. These insects are both 

 natives of Bengal. The first (Pfial. Attacus Paphia, L.) 

 feeds upon the leaves of the Jugube tree {Wiamnus Jujuba) 

 or Byer of the Hindoos, and of the Terminalia alata gla- 

 bra, Roxburgh, the Asseen of the Hindoos, and is found 

 in such abundance as from time immemorial to have af- 

 forded a constant supply of a very durable, coarse, dark- 

 coloured silk, which is woven into a cloth called Tussek- 

 dooVJiies, much worn by the Brahmins and other sects ; 

 and would doubtless be highly useful to the inhabitants 

 of many parts of America and of the South of Europe, 

 where a light and cool, and at the same time cheap and 

 durable dress, such as this silk furnishes, is much wanted. 

 The durability of this silk is indeed astonishing. After 

 constant use for nine or ten years it does not show any 

 signs of decay. These insects are thought by the natives 

 of so much consequence, that they guard them by day to 

 preserve them from crows and other birds, and by night 

 from the bats. — The Arindy silk-worm (Phal Cynthia, 



3 vii. 33-48. Compare Lord Yalentia's Trace 



s,h (■ 



