SILK-WORMS. 
Ill 
Should a great number of silk-worms, on one 
table, be torpid, whilst others continue to require 
food, these should be given a slight meal without 
waiting for the stated hour of their feeding, to 
satisfy them, that they may sink into torpor 
quickly ; this care is of consequence, and these 
intermediate meals are very beneficial. 
Fifth Day of the Third Age. 
(Fourteenth of the Rearing of the Silk-worm.) 
This day 27 pounds of picked leaves, chopped, 
will do, which must be distributed as they are 
needed : this will be about the quantity ; if it 
is not enough, more may be added ; if too much, 
less given. 
These two last days the silk-worms begin to 
cast about some silk down. 
The insect seeks free space to slumber in, dry 
and solitary spots, rearing its head upwards, 
which is known by finding it on the edges of the 
paper, where any stalks stick up, upon which 
it retires. All of them not being able thus to 
separate from each other, are obliged to remain 
upon their litter, but testify uneasiness by rearing 
up their heads. 
When on the point of sinking into torpor, they 
completely void all excx*emental matter, and 
there remains in their intestinal tube, a yellow- 
ish lymph alone, rather transparent, and which 
