[ 5 6 ] 
and I found that it was as indiffoluble as that of the 
common filk-worm. 
The common lilk-pod, with all its flofs, weighs 
ufually but three grains : and here is a pod which 
weighs feven times as much. If the outer coat, 
which weighed twelve grains, were all to be ufed 
only as flofs-filk, there remain nine grains, capable 
of being reeled ; which is above three times as much 
as can be reded from the common cocoon. But I 
am of opinion, that when the pod is frefh, and not 
hardened by age, the whole outer coat may be reeled 
off: for the pod on which I made thefe trials was 
feven or eight years old. 
Upon enquiry, I have found that the moth of 
this pod is called the Iiinglafs by Marian. It is a 
very large moth, being five inches from the tip of 
each wing extended. It differs from the fflk-motb, 
in that it has a probofeis j which intimates tnat it 
feeds in its papilio ffate, whereas the filk-moth 
never eats. 
The caterpillar which produces this pod is a na- 
tive of America. It was found in Peniylvania : the 
pod was fixed to the fmall branch of a tree, which 
l'eemed to be either of the crab or hawthorn fpecies. 
The leaf of the tree had alio helped to fupport 
the pod ; for the mark of its ribs was apparent cn 
the furface of the pod. 
I do not conceive that it will be at all difficult to 
find out the caterpillar, or the tree it feeds on ; or 
to reel fuch a quantity of the filk as (hall, when 
woven into ribband, more fully demonflrate whe- 
ther it be of that value which I judge it. For by 
3 comparing 
