216 
THE ART OR REARING 
It sometimes will occur that the cocoon is so 
hard, and so wound in silk, that the moth in vain 
strives to come forth, and dies in the cocoon. 
Sometimes the female deposits some eggs in the 
cocoon before she can get out, and often perishes 
in it. 
May not this observation shew us the use of 
extracting the chrysalis from the cocoon, by cut- 
ting it, that the moth may only have to pierce its 
envelope ? I myself have practised it successfully ; 
but I found the operation so tedious, that when 
to this is added the disadvantage which it is to the 
moth not to find its cocoon to stretch itself upon 
where it first comes forth, I do not advise the 
opening of the cocoon by artificial means *. 
* It is very favourable to the moths, when they put forth 
their head and first legs, to find some substance to which they 
may fasten, and thus facilitate clearing out of the cocoon bv 
the support ; for this they should be put in layers two inches 
deep. 
If the chrysalis is drawn from the cocoon to facilitate the 
moth’s issue from its envelope, it will occur that should the 
moths be put on a smooth surface, five in a hundred will not 
be able to get out, but drag the envelope along, and at last 
die, not being able to disencumber themselves. 
If the surface on which the chrysalis is placed is not 
planed, the moths will issue with greater ease, as the ine- 
qualities of the surface assist them by supporting them. 
I therefore imagine the method I first described is altoge- 
ther the most practical, being careful to put the cocoons at 
equal distances as fast as the moths appear, and to remove 
the cocoons that are pierced. 
