SILK-WORMS. 
227 
and that consequently, at the time of their sepa- 
ration, it would only be necessary to keep tlje 
females, and throw away the males. 
However, that is never the case, as there is 
always an excess either of males or females. 
If there are more males they must be thrown 
away ; but if there be an excess of females, males 
must be allotted them, that have already been in 
a state of union. Great care must be taken, 
when you separate the couples, not to injure the 
males. 
I have observed above, that it is useful to 
mark the hour when the couplings take place, 
because the male ought not to remain united more 
than six hours. After the lapse of that time, you 
take the two moths by the wings and the body, 
and separate them gently, which is easily done. All 
the males which are no longer in union must be 
placed upon the frames ; the most vigorous are 
afterwards selected, and united with those females 
which have not yet found a mate. If at the time, 
more males in a vigorous state are found, than 
are required, and you foresee that they may be 
useful afterwards, they must be preserved in a 
spare box, and kept in darkness. When I am 
aware that I shall be in want of males, I allow 
them to remain united with the female, the first 
time, five hours only instead of six. 
It seems that the females are not injured by 
