[ 55 1 
fo regular an oval as that of the common filk- 
worm ; its confidence fomewhat like that of a dried 
bladder, when not fully blown ; its colour of a red- 
difii brown ; its whole weight 2 1 grains. 
Upon cutting open this outer integument, there 
appeared in the infide a pod completely oval, as 
that of the filk-worm. It was covered with fome 
flofs-filk, by which it was connected to the cuter 
coat, being of the fame colour. Its length was two 
inches ; its diameter nearly one inch ; and its weight 
nine grains. 
The pod could not be eafily unwinded, becaufe it 
was perforated by the moth : but, upon putting it 
in hot water, I reeled off fo much as fufficed to 
form a judgment of the ffrength and ffaple of its 
filk. 
The fingle thread winded off the pod in the fame 
manner as that of the common filk-worm : feemingr 
in all refpe&s as fine, and as tough. I doubled this 
thread fo often as to contain twenty in thicknefs ; 
and the compound thread was as fmooth, as ela- 
ffic, and as gloffy, as <that of the common filk- 
worm. I tried what weight it would bear j and 
it bore fifteen ounces and a half, and broke with 
fomewhat lefs than fixteen, upon feveral trials. I 
then tried a thread of the common filk-worm, 
which was alfo compofed of twenty (in thicknefs it 
rather exceeded the other) ; and it broke always with 
fifteen ounces. 
I boiled a part of the cocoon in water, for the 
fpace of four hours, that I might know whether it 
was compofed of a gum in any fort mucilaginous ; 
and 
