No. 24. — 1881.] SERICULTURE IN CEYLON. 143 



moth makes its exit from the cocoon. In Actias the cocoons 

 are not so full of silk as those of Anthereeea, but it is 

 " strong, tenacious, elastic, and brilliant." 



One species of wild silk-worm found in the N. W. Himalayas 

 has been named after the writer alluded to, Bombyx Huttoni. 

 It will not submit to domestication. 



The other species are Antheroea assama, found in Assam ; 

 Antheroea Roylei, found in Mussoree and Simla feeding on the 

 oak; and Bombyx Mari a Pat For loo, found in Bengal. 



Of the JEria, Erie, Arrea or Arindee group Phalcea cynthia, 

 found in Bengal, feeds on the castor oil plant instead of on the 

 mulberry and yields a coarser silk. 



Another of the Eria group is the Attacus atlas. It thrives 

 well when found and taken from the jungle, but the moths could 

 not be induced to breed. The Attacus cynthia is the same as 

 the Attacus canningi, and is abundant in Mussorie and Cachar. 



The above are also described as belonging to the genus 

 "Saturnia" — Saturnia atlas, 'the giant atlas moth' whose wings 

 measure 7 or 8 inches across ; Saturnia cercropia and Satur- 

 nia lima have their wings produced into a tail; Saturnia 

 cynthia is the arindi silk- worm of India. Lattreille states 

 that these are the wild species of silk worm of China. Satur- 

 nia prometkea is a North American species. It forms it 

 cocoon within the leaf of a sassafras tree, having previously 

 fastened the stalk of the leaf to the stem by a strong 

 silken web, whereby it is prevented from falling with the 

 other leaves. 



Wild silk-worms feed upon different trees, such as the 

 jujube, Ficus religiosa or Peepul tree, the castor oil plant, 

 the almond, some of the laurel tribe, and others. (Boyle's 

 Productive Resources of India.) 



As Mr. Geddes of Moratuwa had a supply of silk- 

 worm eggs from Father Palla I wrote to him for such in- 

 formation as he could give me. The following is his reply, 



