224 
THE ART OF REARING 
are very convenient, particularly to keep quiet 
the males which remain. It is difficult, however, 
to prevent the male moths from striking about 
with their wings. When they make this motion, 
there is detached from their wings a sort of down, 
which makes much dust, which sticks to every 
place, and incommodes breathing. If care be 
not taken to quiet this motion by darkness, there 
will ensue an almost entire destruction of their 
wings, and consequently a great loss of their vital 
powers. 
While employed in carrying off the united 
moths, and while others are coming forth, care 
must be taken to remove the cocoons that are 
burst ; as these cocoons are moist, they commu- 
nicate their humidity to those which are still 
entire. 
The paper, also, that is on the wicker trays, is 
easily soiled ; these dirtied portions must be 
changed, in order that the trays and cocoons 
should be kept as clean as possible, to prevent 
the air of the room from being corrupted. During 
hot weather, constant attention is required during 
the whole of the day, as there is a constant suc- 
cession in the processes of hatching and union 
of the moths, which occasionally vary in relative 
proportion to one another. 
Amongst all the methods which are adopted in 
these operations, I x*ecommend that which I have 
