NO. 24.— 1881.] SERICULTURE IN CEYLON. 141 



in obtaining a supply of eggs from China or Japan. In a few- 

 days he received the gratifying information that His Excellency 

 would have much pleasure in applying to the Consul-General 

 of Japan for a supply of eggs. 



In January, 1880, a communication was received by Govern- 

 ment from Her Majesty's Consul-General at Yeddo, in Japan, 

 that it was too late in the season to forward any eggs then as 

 they had almost all been exported, but that a supply would be 

 sent in the next season. 



In December, 1880, the first supply was received by Govern- 

 ment from Yeddo, and at once hauded to Father Palla, who 

 distributed a few cards to some friends who had previously 

 begun the cultivation of the mulberry plant in anticipation of 

 the arrival of the eggs. 



The eggs, which are as small as grains of mustard, as 

 laid by the insect on white cards, (each 14 by 9 inches long,) 

 cover the whole card, so that there are thousands of eggs on 

 each card. The one I now exhibit has been practically 

 hatched and bears the empty shells as well as those which 

 have not hatched as yet. The cards have certain Japanese 

 impressions on them to prove that they are genuine Japanese 

 silk-worm eggs. 



There were several cards, each being covered with tissue 

 paper, and then wrapped in thick covers of China and brown 

 paper. There was also a little box with 100 divisions, num- 

 bered ; in each division there were six cocoons. The numbers 

 on the divisions corresponded with the numbers on the cards, 

 and the quality of the cocoons and silk, which each card was 

 capable of producing, could be ascertained by reference to these 

 numbers. 



The eggs which were received in December began to hatch 

 in a few days after they were exposed to the air in a ventilated 

 room. It required a magnifying glass to enable one to see the 

 minute caterpillars or larvae which were hatched, and these 



