SILK-WORMS. 
285 
While it is evident that the abundance and cer- 
tainty of the annual produce of the cocoon9 rests 
entirely upon the perfect cultivation of the silk- 
worm during the various periods of its existence, 
and as it is generally known that these insects are 
not natives of our climes, and only exist by the 
care bestowed on them in their domestic state, it 
can scarcely be credited that there should not 
yet be a code of sure rules to form habitations 
suited to their wants, and favourable to their 
progress, and that silk-worms are to be exposed 
to every circumstance most injurious to their 
health and well-being. 
It seems never to have been imagined that four 
or five ounces 6f eggs would produce 1 50,000 or 
even 200,000 silk-worms, that would all require 
room to breathe freely of pure air, and to secrete 
the substances necessary to life. 
A building wisely constructed, upon the fixed 
principles of art, where the air may circulate 
at all times, and in all cases, and preserve its 
dryness, would alone powerfully contribute to 
the constant prosperity of the animal ; and in 
course of time, to the abundant production of 
cocoons of the finest quality. 
When the habitation of the silk-worm has 
been well prepared, an unspeakable advantage 
has been obtained, and all will probably advance 
favourably. 
