Nature and Art, August 1, 1866.] 
THE TUSSEH SILKWORM OF INDIA. 
87 
always within a bifurcation of the wood. No other 
means of attachment could, for simplicity and 
strength, equal this arrangement; as rough, stormy 
winds, or other disturbing influences, instead of 
breaking the stem short off, as would inevitably 
happen if glued fast, simply move the ring round 
the stick forward or back as the branches wave. 
In this hanging cot the worm remains at rest 
from October until some time in July, when the 
moth forces its way out, and, if a male, at once flies 
off to other and far-off groves, deserting the ladies 
most rudely. They — good, orderly creatures — 
quietly remain at home, until, after a short time, 
perhaps within a few hours, perchance in a day or 
two, arrive, with much flutter and display of 
painted wings, a whole troop of gay gallants, who 
at once establish a domestic circle around them. 
These gay Lotharios have been reported by the 
natives as having winged their way from immense 
distances in their wanderings, proved by certain 
well-known marks placed on their wings by the 
inhabitants of distant districts. Whether these 
restless creatures would select suitable partners if 
confined to the home-circle, it is hard to say : one 
thing is certain, with them liberty and flight go 
hand-in-hand. 
The movements of these insects are always most 
carefully watched by the natives engaged in their 
management, as good or evil fortune is supposed 
to result from the early or late arrival of the flights 
of male moths ; and the inevitable, “ tom-tom,” 
together with instruments rather of torture than 
music, lend their aid in causing such a din as would 
frighten any ordinary moth clean out of his wits, 
and make him forget the ladies altogether. 
The female moth rarely lives beyond from eight 
to twelve days after depositing her eggs, which she 
generally does very near the cocoon from which she 
came. During the period of her short life, no food 
of any description is taken, and no mouth or other 
orifice through which sustenance could pass exists. 
The cocoons are gathered from the trees long 
before the moth is sufficiently developed to com- 
mence its attack on the walls of the sealed-up cap- 
sule in which it is imprisoned. Now conies another 
season of “tomash:” “tom-tom” again, braying of 
horns, and general production of unearthly noises. 
Plantain-leaves have to be gathered, dried, packed 
together, and duly burned. From the ashes, when 
mixed with water, a “ley” is made, which is then 
deposited in just such an earthen pot as that in 
which “Ingoldsby” describes his “convivial imp” 
triumphantly luxuriating : — 
“ A quaint imp sat in an earthen pot, 
In an earthen, big'-bellied pot sat he ; 
Through holes in the sides his arms stuck out — 
Rather a comical sight to see.” 
For between two and three hours the cocoons about 
to be wound are allowed to soak in the mixture 
contained in this pot. They are then wet, and are 
so transferred to another vessel, also earthen, and 
in material closely allied to pot the first. Here 
they are allowed to remain until sufficiently soft for 
winding, which they generally are in from four to 
five days. Flat, shallow dishes are now provided, 
still earthen, and still of the family of “ pot.” Into 
these the softened cocoons are thrown, without 
water. The terminal threads of four or five cocoons, 
after having been dexterously unravelled, are carried 
to the drum of a small primitive-looking reel, built 
up of four bars of hard wood running through a 
couple of the hardened knots of a large bamboo 
cane. The reel is held in the left hand and turned 
with the right, the threads passing in an oblique 
direction over the thigh of the spinner, who squats 
on the ground before his dish of cocoons as if about 
to indulge in a feast of tempting fruit. By a 
peculiar species of sleight of hand, a dexterous 
twist is given to the compound thread as it is wound 
off, and much skill appears requisite in the opera- 
tion, to avoid breakages and entanglements. When 
fitted by after-preparation, the thread is carried to 
the loom of the country, where the “ Tusseh” fabric 
is produced. 
Besides the worm now under notice, there are 
others which we shall merely give a passing notice 
of, although their products are valuable and may 
call for further remark in a future number. 
The “ Arrindy,” or Pahna Christi worm, feeds 
exclusively on the leaves of the Palma Christi, 
spins a lighter-coloured silk than the Tusseh ; but 
it cannot be wound, and is therefore carded, and 
treated much after the manner of cotton. Its 
strength and tenacity are wonderful. Garments 
made from it have been known to descend from 
generation to generation. How fortunate it is that 
the fashions of the East are not so changeable as 
those of our oAvn country ! What would “ Lady 
Clara” think of being presented at Court in the 
same dress as that worn by her lamented grand- 
mother when she was young 1 Shawls, muslins, 
and other Indian productions are, by the merchants, 
packed in “Arrindy cloth,” as being the strongest 
and most durable envelope to be found. 
There is yet another silk-producing worm, the 
native name of which I do not remember. This is 
found living wild amongst the great mango “ topes” 
of Central India, spinning its cocoons either between 
the forks of some twig, or amongst the thick 
clustering parasites, which closely resemble the 
mistletoe of our own orchards and woods. This 
wild silk is frequently gathered by the inhabitants 
of the “ gaums,” or native villages of the interior, 
for the purpose of mixing with the other kinds, or 
with a view to the manufacture of bow-strings, 
sword-loops, bands for the barrels of their match- 
locks, and various other odd purposes to which silk 
is applied in an Eastern country. That India has 
furnished large quantities of silk to the Western 
world from periods of the most remote antiquity, 
history and tradition alike prove ; and it has been 
reasonably questioned whether the immense canopies 
used for the purpose of covering the ancient Homan 
theatres were not composed of this material ; and, 
together with the peacocks, gold, and other precious 
merchandise in which the old-world potentates so 
much delighted, brought from the distant land of 
“ Ind” to minister to their wants and luxuries. 
