i86 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
SERICARIA. 7}3e SILKWORM. 
ITMOUT entering into the defcripti- 
nn of a iiaturalift ot this worm, we fhall con- 
fine ourfelves to that which we think will be 
more ufeful, pleafing, and interefiing. It 
being more an objeft of univerlal fervice, 
than offingular beauty, induces us to prefer 
giving an account of its utility, than any 
elaborate account of its figure or colour. 
Where thefe worms are bred, they no 
fooner leave the eggs than they are fed with 
mulberry-letives, with which they are fup- 
plieU every morning, when the old leaves 
are carefully removed. This infedf, when 
firfl produced, is extremely fmall, and en- 
tirely black. In a few days it affumes a new' 
habit; which is white, tinged with the co- 
lour of its food. And before it goes into 
its chryfalid (late, it affumes two other 
(irelTes. At this time, it appears difgulled 
with the world, and voluntarily retires to its 
folitary grave, which is mod; admirably 
formed with its thread. How wonderful 
mud be the Ilrutdure of its body, to furnifh 
fuch a thread ; and how aftonilhing the in- 
Ilinft which teaches it to make, of this felf- 
p^roduced material, its own tomb ! And 
how' mud it diminifli the pride of man, to 
conlider that he is indebted, for his mod; 
gaudy array, to a fubdance, of which a 
worm 
