RAW-SILK. 



145 



which bears the closest affinity to the best Italian (K.) 

 silk. Hence there is reason to expect that the ^^SnraT 

 doppia fogUa may prove a more grateful food to Soonamooky. 

 the worm of Italy now rearing than the indi- 

 genous plant of India, or dessy kajlah^ this even- 

 tually tending to improve its cocoon and our 

 cultivation." 



The opinion may be erroneous ; but I do not, for 

 my own part, attach any bad effect to the disco- 

 loration specified, which indeed happens occa- 

 sionally to the cocoons of these aurungs. Primitive 

 beauty of colour is certainly very attractive, but it 

 is presently obscured when the silk passes into the 

 hands of the dyer and throwster, to be converted or 

 twisted into organzine. It is then that the chief 

 test of tenacity of fibre and firmness of texture, 

 yet softness, are anxiously looked for ; and these 

 qualities are admitted by the operatives here to 

 promise well in the new silk. 



Adverting to the outline of Dr. Lush's arrange-* 

 ment of the genus morus (or mulberry-tree of 

 Botanists), as well as to the two important points 

 yet to be established, on which he invites com- 

 ment — with regard to the several kinds of mul- 

 berry and the endless variety of leaves found on 

 those on which silk-worms are fed," it is well 

 known that the worm which feeds on the white 

 {morus alba) spins his cocoon of a finer fibre and 

 better quality, than when other kinds are substi- 

 tuted. It is moreover an observed fact, that the 



L tenacity 



