MOTHS OF SOUTH AMERICA. 7^ 
fully coloured than any that are found in 
this country. In South America, for in- 
stance, there are some which measure 
five or six inches across, when the wings 
are extended. 
Lucy, What fine large caterpillars 
they must have ! 
Mother, I will show you some books, 
which contain engravings of a great 
number : and you may recollect, that 
from some foreign species we derive a 
most ornamental and beautiful substance. 
Lucy. Oh, mamma, 1 am sure I can 
guess what that is, because you know I 
have heard something of the silk worms* 
Mother. You have guessed rightly. 
China produces several distinct species, 
that supply silk of different qualities ; 
but in Europe we have only one kind, of 
which the food is the white mulberry 
leaf. The cultivation of silk worms is 
quite a trade, by which thousands of 
people gain a livelihood. 
Lucy. People who weave silk ? 
Mother, No, no ; I speak of those. 
