THE ARRINDY SILKWORM MOTH. 133 
to this country, on being examined by British 
manufacturers, was at first by them erroneously 
believed to be the article employed in making the 
rich East India shawls; but, on examination, it 
proved to be of a much harsher nature, and to wear 
very rough, and has not heen found applicable to 
any valuable purpose. 
* The Palma Christi silkworm goes by the 
same name as the plant does among the natives, 
which is Avrindy. They accordingly call it Ar- 
rindy-worm Arrindy-thread, Arrindy-cloth, &c. 
They rear it in their houses much in the way the 
silkworm is reared. Their manner of spinning it is 
as follows :—Four or five of the cocoons are fastened 
to a stick stuck in the ground, or sometimes they 
hold it in their hand. These are united into one 
thread, and made fast to a piece of wood, with 
something heavy to make it spin round while sus- 
pended by the thread: when they let out sufficient 
of the cocoons from their hand, it is twisted by this 
piece of wood spinning round, and when well twist- 
ed it is wound round the wood, and another length 
let out from the hand. The cocoons are spun wet, 
but only with cold water. The cloth is woven in 
small pieces in a loom, and is as coarse as light vit- 
tree, but more open; and on being washed and 
beaten well, is made very soft and pliable. It is 
entirely confined to the districts of Dinagepore and 
Rungpore ; no other place in Bengal haying got it. 
