SATURNIA CYNTHIA. 
145 
cient of the cocoons from their hand, it is twisted 
by this piece of wood spinning round, and when 
well twisted, it is wound round the wood, and ano- 
ther length let out from the hand. The cocoons are 
spun wet, but only with cold water. The cloth is 
woven in small pieces in a loom, and is as coarse as 
light vitrce, but more open ; and on being washed 
and beaten well, is made very soft and pliable. It 
is entirely confined to the districts of Dinagepore 
and Rungpore ; no other place in Bengal having 
got it. Its uses are for clothing, for both men and 
women. It will wear constantly ten, fifteen, or 
twenty years ; the merchants also use it for packing 
fine cloths, silks, or shawls. It must, however, be 
always washed in cold water; if put into boiling 
water, it makes it tear like old rotten cloth. There 
is a cocoon produced wild upon the mango-tree, 
which they gather, and mix with Arrindy cocoons 
in spinning. I have only seen one caterpillar of 
it, and did not succeed in rearing it. I shall in- 
quire for some, and get a drawing made, if possible, 
as they cannot be sent or carried to any distance." 
K 
