SILK-WORMS. 
215 
Chapter X. 
OF THE SEVENTH AGE OF THE SILK-WORM; OF 
THE BIRTH AND COUPLING OF THE MOTH ; 
OF LAYING THE EGGS, AND THE PRESER- 
VATION OF THE EGGS. 
The seventh and last age of the silk-worm com- 
prises the entire life of the moth. 
It is not in a work of this kind that I need de- 
monstrate how, within the envelope which covered 
the chrysalis, the moth is formed by its powerful 
vitality and chemical affinities ; and also how is 
formed the fecundating substance, and a particu- 
lar kind of fluid matter which accumulates in its 
various reservoirs, and, in short, every part of its 
being. 
I will only say, that when the moth is formed it 
pours from its mouth a tasteless liquid, nearly 
like that which moistens and softens the envelope 
which wraps it, and also the strong web of the 
cocoon in which it is inclosed. 
The formation of the moth, and its disposition 
to issue from the cocoon, maybe ascertained when 
one of the extremities of the cocoon is perceived 
to be wet, which is the part occupied by the head 
of the moth. Some hours after these signs appear, 
and sometimes even in one hour after, the moth 
will pierce through the cocoon, and come out. 
