BOMBYCIDS. 
Ill 
silk lias been used for manufacturing into fabrics, and although it 
has not the fineness of the silk of Bombyx mori , it is exceedingly 
durable and beautiful, and a garment made from it would probably 
last a life-time. 
Many experiments have been tried from time to time with the 
view of making this insect of commercial value as a silk producer, 
but thus far, I believe, without success. The greatest difficulty 
seems to be to unwind the silk from the cocoons rapidly enough and 
in a sufficiently large quantity to make the operation financially suc¬ 
cessful. It seems as if here was a fair field for the inventor. What 
clothing we might have if the silk from the cocoon of Telea poly- 
phemus could be unwound, spun and woven into cloth inexpensively. 
Just think of the undergarments, socks, gloves, etc., we might wear, 
not to mention the curtains, portieres, rugs and carpets that might 
adorn and bring comfort to our homes. I believe this will be 
achieved at no distant day. As the food plants of this insect abound 
almost everywhere where there are forests, the food supply is unlim¬ 
ited. The caterpillars are hardy and could be reared out of doors 
in innumerable millions with the simplest contrivances ; and with 
simple and efficient methods of manufacture, silk goods should be as 
cheap as cotton. 
It is interesting to watch one of these large caterpillars spin its 
cocoon. The spinneret is located just below the jaws, and as he 
moves his head backward and forward the silken thread is drawn 
out. It takes about three days continuous labor to complete the 
cocoon, and when it is nearly finished the caterpillar gives the whole 
interior a coating of waterproof varnish, which when dry makes the 
cocoon feel hard and firm. 
When the moth is about to emerge, a liquid is discharged from a 
gland located where the mouth should be, if it had one, which dis¬ 
solves the substance which binds the threads together, when they are 
pushed aside and the insect escapes from a large round hole in the 
end of the cocoon. 
There is considerable variation in the color of the moths. Some 
are yellowish, some buff, while others have a decided reddish or pink¬ 
ish tint. These latter are frequently very large and beautiful speci¬ 
mens. Teleapolypliemus is a night-flyer and on this account although 
a common insect is rarely seen unless one knows just where and 
when to look for it. The males are easily assembled with a caged 
female, and when the cocoons are hatching in one’s attic the males 
