HISTORY OF INSECTS. 11 



order on the line will be the first requiring to be 

 wound off. 



29. After a silk-worm has been ten days in its 

 cell, its cocoon of yellow silk will be compact and 

 complete ; this must be taken out of the cell, the 

 exterior or waste silk stripped off, until a single 

 thread runs by itself; an operation which will be 

 much assisted by occasionally dipping the cocoon 

 in warm water. 



30. When the single threads of half a dozen of 

 these cocoons are found, they may be guided with 

 one hand on a small reel, which is constructed for 

 the purpose, and may be turned with the other 

 hand, the cocoons at the same time floating on a 

 basin of warm water ; by a little management in 

 separating the thread, a great number may thus be 

 wound ofl' at the same time. 



31 . When so much of the silk has been wound 

 off, that the remainder appears of a thinner, paler, 

 and inferior quality, the thread should be broken, 

 the remaining portion of the cocoon is weak, gum- 

 my, and of little value ; it should be taken out of 

 the water, and laid aside to prevent its getting 

 entangled with the others. 



32. Within the cocoon is the chrysalis, from which 

 the future moth is produced ; these may be thrown 

 on a tray containing bran, which absorbs the 

 water which would otherwise remain on them 

 after their long soaking. When silk-worms are 

 reared for profit, there are a far greater number 



