462 
THE MOTHS* 
placed in heated ovens, where the filk, without lingular 
caution, is apt to be damaged. In our climate, where 
every progreffion of the infect tribe is (lower, there is 
fufficient time to wind off the filk without killing the 
chryfalis. 
But befide the injury that may be done to the filk in 
Italy , from the length of time which it is neceifiary to 
keep the chryfalis in thefe ovens, they are there obliged 
to fuller the moth to eat its way out of the larged cones, 
in order to have eggs from the moll vigorous and healthy. 
Hence, they lofe ail the filk of thefe cones ; whereas, in 
this country, the filk may be gathered while the moths 
are preferved. Thus, we feem to poffefs two drilling ad- 
vantages, which may probably compenfate for the want of 
others which our climate has denied us. 
Even the climate, however, of England is in fome re- 
fpects fupeiior to thofe where filk is raifed. In the fouth 
of France , the frods are often fo intenfe as to kill the 
mulberry leaves after they are out. At that feafon of the 
year, this is feldom the cafe in Scuth ■ Britain ; which is 
alfo more free from lightning, and thofe fultry heats 
that have always been deemed prejudicial to the filk 
worm. From thefe confklerations, the time may pro- 
bably arrive, when our countrymen, by farther know- 
ledge and experience upon this fubject, may be enabled 
to avail themfelves of thefe advantages, and become en- 
titled to a rank as diftinguiflied among the raifers, as that 
which they have long held among the manufacturers of 
filk. 
The filk worm, however, is perhaps far from being the 
only infect of whofe labours man might avail himfelf. 
There are many fpecies very common, and imtnenfely 
fertile, that might be beneficially employed in procuring 
£lkj 
