23 
A paper was also read by Mr. Henry Denny, of Leeds, en¬ 
titled ‘‘ Observations on tbe distribution of tbe Extinct Bears of 
Britain, witb especial reference to a supposed new species of Fossil 
Bear from Ireland.” (This paper was read before tbe Greological 
and Polytecbnic Society of tbe West Hiding of Yorksbire, and 
appears in full in its Proceedings.) 
Nov. 1.—Leonard Thompson, Esq. read a paper by Lady 
Mary Thompson, On tbe new Chinese Silkworm lately introduced 
into Europe,” giving an account of her experience in tbe cultivation 
of this species—tbe Bomhyx Cynthia. This insect is a native of 
tbe colder parts of China, whence living cocoons were sent in 1856 
to Turin by a Piedmontese missionary, accompanied by tbe state¬ 
ment that tbe larvae fed on a tree resembling tbe Acacia. They 
were tried witb leaves of tbe Ailanthus glandulosa^ a common tree 
in ornamental plantations, and found to thrive upon them. From 
Piedmont tbe new silkworm was introduced into France, where its 
cultivation is now being carried on to a considerable extent, 
although tbe silk produced by it can only be used as spun-silh^ that 
is to say carded like wool, instead of being wound off in a continu¬ 
ous thread, like that of tbe common silkworm. It is said, however, 
that a process has been discovered by which tbe silk may be wound 
off in tbe usual manner. Tbe difficulty of so doing arises from tbe 
fact that tbe silk is laid more compactly than in tbe cocoon of tbe 
common silkworm, and cemented together by a gum which we do 
not yet know bow to dissolve. Tbe cocoon of Bomhyx Cynthia is 
formed witb an elastic opening for tbe egress of tbe mature insect. 
Tbe acclimatization of tbe insect in England was first attempted 
at Dangstein, in Hampshire, by Lady Dorothy Nevill, who has 
recorded her success in a pamphlet entitled Tbe Ailanthus 
Silkworm and tbe Ailanthus Tree.” In June last. Lady Dorothy 
Nevill, bearing that Lady Mary Thompson wished to try bow far 
tbe climate of this part of England would suit tbe new silkworm, 
sent her a present of two dozen newly-batched larvae. These arrived 
at Sberiff-Hutton Park on tbe 30tb of June. They were first 
supplied witb fresh gathered leaves, and in about two hours 
twenty-three of them were placed on a plant of Ailanthus in tbe 
greenhouse. Tbe other specimen died. On tbe 15tb of July tbe 
plant, witb twenty silkworms upon it (three having made their 
escape), was placed in tbe garden, under an Ailanthus tree, which 
bad been netted over to exclude birds. Tbe change of tempera- 
