12 GRAMiMAR OF ENTOMOLOGYf 



of chrysalides than are wanted ; these may be 

 given to fowls, which are exceedingly fond of 

 them, and to which they afford a wholesome and 

 nutritious diet. 



33. In a fortnight or three weeks after the 

 winding of the silk, some of the chrysalides will 

 be found cracking and opening, and the perfect 

 moth will then appear : these are small sluggish 

 creatures, of a pale buff colour, seldom leaving 

 the tray, mat, or paper, on which they are ])laced, 

 and on which the females lay their eggs. 



34. As regards the hatching of the eggs, it is 

 important to know that this may be retarded as 

 long as the owner pleases, by subjection to a low 

 temperature ; and it will be well for those who 

 purpose keeping silk-worms for the sake of profit 

 to defer the hatching of the eggs until the mul- 

 berry-trees are sufficiently forward to ensure a 

 constant supply of food. 



35. The usual time for the hatching of silk- 

 worms' eggs in this country is about the 12th of 

 May, but a fortnight later is much better ; for at 

 that time the mulberry-trees have not generally 

 put forth their leaves, and a great difficulty con- 

 stantly occurs in procuring food. 



36. No other food than mulberry leaves, as 

 far as we have yet learned, affords to silk-worms 

 wholesome nutriment; lettuce, dog-wood, and 

 black-currant leaves, have been repeatedly tried, 

 but without success. 



