RAW -SILK. 



149 



i. to the existing nature of things in these aurungs. (K.) 



But Dr. Wallich may give a different opinion, as ^iSlIuTt 

 I j applicable to other soils and districts, Sooiiamooky. 

 [j I I have the pleasure to state, that besides having 

 J J obtained a few small specimens of silk from the 

 . newly imported worms hatched here, I have secured 

 ,} ( a considerable quantity of eggs, supposed to be 



annuals, wherewith to propagate the breed during 

 y the next periodical season of hatching them, by 

 il I which period it may reasonably be expected that 

 ,1 ) plants of the doppia foglia may be in readiness to 

 I ] feed them. The experiment on this side of India 



in these aurungs will then be complete, and general 

 , dissemination follow. But perhaps it may be anti- 

 g.,cipated in Calcutta. 



The practices and prejudices of the Hindoo 

 y breeder of the silk-worm in these districts may not 



be uninteresting. They pretend to hold the insect 

 ^|in a degree of religious awe, and thus, as sacred, 

 iimpose on themselves penances for its salvation, 

 [gjhanded down from one generation to another 

 ^^ji through time immemorial, which are strictly abided 

 j^^by in the progress of feeding the worm ; more es- 

 j ipecially during the critical periods of the four ages, 



or sicknesses while moulting, during which the 

 i^l^worm has reached two-thirds of its full growth, 

 ^^, ,and until it ultimately closes itself in its pod. The 



intercourse of the sexes is forbidden. Girls (adults) 

 ^.^and women, whether in their courses or parturient, 

 ^P^are excluded. Men do not shave or perform their 



ablutions 



