Daily Republican., 1879-06-03
SILK MAKING.
FRS Priscilla Parry Tells she Re-
uorier Of the - Republican " all
About the SlIk Worm.

UOrtef OIL the ~ bsopUDhlCon - MS
About the SsIk Worm.
A reporter OF the REPUBLICAN learning
hat Mrs. Priscilla Parry, residing at
10 King street, was engaged in silk
making he called on her last Saturday
fternoou and was shown lot ofsilk
Forms. When we stop to reflect, that
|or the greatest luxury of our wearing
lppar-l we are indebted to a little insect,
siil perhaps render OF interest few re.
harks upon the silk worm, which is,
indeed only species Of caterpillar,
ormed of several movable rings Of
belts, and we'll furnished with feet or
laws to fix itself where it plsases. 1t
bas two rows of teeth which do not
hove upward or downward, but from
light to left.
This motion enables the little worm to
bress, cut and tear the mulberry leaves
every direction. Along the whole
ength Of its back We may perceive
through its skin, a vessel which per-
orms the function of the heart. On
Iach side of this insect are nine orifices,
which answer to as many lungs, and
lssist the circulation of the chyls or
he nutritive juice. Under the mouth
has kind Of reel with two holes,
through which pass the drops of the
gun, with whichsits bag is filed; these
lct ike two distaiis, continually fur
bishing it with the materials of which
\ makes its silk.
The gum which distills through the
Two orifces, !engthens into double
thread. which presently loses the flu
dity Of the liquid gum and acquires a
Eon.iste cy necessary to support or en-
Eeop the worm.
When that time arrives it joins the
Two threads together by glueing them
bne over the other with its fore feet
This double thread is very strong and
IF great length, Notwithstanding the
Extreme finaness of its texture. Each
bag it is said has a thread which is
Generally estimated to measure over
our hundred German ellis in length,
lnu is thread is double and joined to-
kether throughout its length, each bag
nay be said to contain about nine
hundred ellis Of silk, although the
EhVe weight of this does not exceed
Two grains and half.
When Mrs. Parry was in England
twelve months ago, she brought lot
bf silk worms home with her but they
lied. Not giving up in despair, as
many would have done, she sent 10
England after more, and soon letter
Iame and enclosed in the same were a
ot of the eggs. The worm when il
rst einerges from the egg is extremely
|mall, almost black, and its head OF a
till larker hue than the rest of the
body; in few days it begins to assume
! light ash color; its coat becomes dirty
ind ruiiled; it casts this of and appears
n new dress; it becomes larger and
huch whittier though sometimes little
inged with green from feeding on null
berry leaves.
Alter few more days the number OF
Fhich varies according to the degrees
# heat and quality in its nourshment
is ceases to eat and sleep for about
orty eight hours. 1t then agitates or
bets i,sgf to great degree; becoming
led with the effort it makes; its skin
wrinkles and shrinks up; it throws it
IfT second time and gets rid Of it with
is feet. Thus within the space of
hree weeks or month We see it fresh
lressed three times. 1t begins to eat
gain, and might be readily taken for
different creature, SO much is the
head, color and figure altered. Mrs.
Parry informed the reporter that the
Form after continuing to eat for some
lays it again falls into lethargic state
IN recovering from which it changes its
oat for third time.
After this it continues to eat for some
line: then entirely ceasing to take any
butriment whatever, prepares for itself
treat and draws ou. 6ilken thread,
which it wraps around its body
n the same manner as one would wind
thread around an oval piece Of wood
Is work is now done and it remains
,uietly in the soft bag IL has formed,
ind at the end of fifteen days would
pierce it to Issue forth il not killed by
being exposed to the rays of the sun
|r shut up in a warm oven. The silk
onss are now thrown in hot water and
tired about lightly to bring out the
hrea ls of silk which is then wound
bpon reels made for the purpose and 1t
5 then ready for the hand OF man TO
ashion TO his separate uses.
The reporter was shown some very
beautiful skius of silk which came
rem Gloucester, England, to Mrs. Par
Fy. Mrs. P. is taking great interest IN
these worms and she wonders that the
beoplc do not take the same interest in
|his country as they do in England. In
|he latter place she states that little
girls engage in the silk business, as it is
! profitable one. Thus We find the
host insignificant object as Instruments
bf man, an insect that we would scarce
" condescend to look at becomes
blessing to thousands Of human beings,
It's works forming an important article
bf ira IL and great source OF riches.