MOTH. 
358 
in circumference, and resembles in colour the 
leaves of the plant it feeds upon. These insects are 
so abundant that a large quantity of silk is manu- 
factured from them, which is said to be very dura- 
ble, and is woven into a kind of cloth much worn 
by the Bramins and other sects of the Hindoos. 
The cocoons from whence the silk is obtained are 
as large as a small hen’s egg; and we are informed 
that when the caterpillars are about to pass into the 
chrysalis state, each of them connects two or three 
leaves into an exterior covering, by means of a gluti- 
nous fluid with which the insect is provided ; these 
leaves serve as a basis to spin the complete case or 
cocoon in. This curious habitation is suspended 
from a branch of the tree in a wonderful manner by 
a thick, strong, consolidated cord, spun of the same 
materials as the cocoon, from the bowels of the 
animal. The case is of an exact oval shape and ex- 
ceeding firm texture ; in it the animal remains dor- 
mant, and perfectly protected from injury, during 
nine months of the year. When the moth is ready 
to come forth, which is in July, it discharges from 
its mouth a large quantity of liquid, with which 
the upper end of the case is so perfectly softened, 
that the moth is enabled to escape from its prison 
without much difficulty, and we are told that this 
purpose is always effected in the night. 
W 7 hen the people go in search of these silkworms 
they repair to the jungles, and under the byer and 
asseen trees they find the excrement of the insect, 
on which they examine the tree ; and when they 
discover the worms, they cut off a sufficient num- 
