RAW-SILK. 



55 



Tarroy. snk cocoons 



of Bengal. 



Another inferior sort of tussah, gathered in De- 

 cember, is a small goottee difficult to wind ; thread 

 harsh ; seed procured in October ; spins from the 

 15th to the end of December. These are in less 

 estimation than the other sorts. 



The natives, in preparing this silk for use, first 

 boil the cocoon in alkali till it shells off. The pro- 

 cess is then continued until the thread appears to 

 separate, when they run it into ulluah in a wet but 

 not hot state, mixing oil and filth to add to the 

 weight, by which they are paid for the work done. 

 The ulluah is given to other spinners, who twist it 

 into thread called packwaun, adding on their part, 

 for the same reason, potatoe starch and more oil. 

 The skeins are always tied up with some thick 

 good-for-nothing ulluah^ all of which is sold toge- 

 ther by weight. 



