174 
THE ART OF REARING 
the moment they have attained their full growth, 
until their perfection, and until the formation of 
the cocoon. 
1. Matured Perfection of the Silk-worm. Tenth 
Day of the Fifth Age. 
(Thirty-second of the Rearing of the Silk-worm.) 
We have seen, in the foregoing chapter, how the 
worms begin and continue to shew signs of matu- 
O O 
rity. 
This last day they attain perfection, which may 
be ascertained by the following indications : 
1st. When, on putting some leaves on the 
wickers, the insects get upon the leaves without 
eating them, and rear their heads, as if in search of 
something else. 
2nd. W T hen, on looking at them horizontally, 
the light shines through them, and they appear 
of a whitish-yellow transparent colour. 
3rd. When numbers of the worms, which were 
fastened to the inside of the edges of the wickers, 
and straightened, now get upon the edges, and 
move slowly along, instinct urging them to seek 
change of place. 
4th. When numbers of worms leave the centre 
of the wickers, and try to reach the edges, and 
crawl up upon them. 
5th. When their rings draw in, and their 
greenish colour changes to a deep golden hue. 
