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CONTENTS.
PART I.
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT
STATE OF THE CULTURE AND MANUFACTURE OF SILK.
CHAPTER I.
HISTORY OF SILK, TO THE PERIOD WHEN SILKWORMS WERE FIRST
INTRODUCED INTO EUROPE.
Time of its earliest Use uncertain.-First produced and adopted in the
East. China the Country of the Silkworm.-The Seres of the An-
cients, the Chinese of the Moderns.-Silk_manufactured at an early
Period in the Island of Cos.-Curious Process.-Silk among the
Persian Spoils acquired by Alexander the Great.-Aristotle's De-
scription of the Bombyx.-Absurd Notions of different Writers.—
Silk highly prized in Rome.-Marcus Antoninus sends Ambassadors
to China.-Persian Monopoly.-Attempts of Justinian to destroy
this. His Failure.-Introduction of the Silkworm into Constanti
nople.-Imperial Manufacture.-Silkworms successfully reared in
other Parts of Greece.-Surprise of the Sogdian Ambassador.-De-
struction of Mulberry trees in China.
CHAP. II.
........
Page 13
HISTORY OF SILK CONTINUED: FROM THE PERIOD WHEN SILKWORMS
WERE FIRST INTRODUCED INTO EUROPE.
Diffusion of the Silk Manufacture.-Successful Establishment in Sicily.
-Gradual Introduction into other Parts of Europe.-Marco Polo.-
His Account of the Prosperity of China.-Enormous Quantity of
Silk produced there.-Production and Manufacture in Italy.-In
Spain. In France.-Commerce of Antwerp.-Acceptable Gift to
Queen Elizabeth.-Manufacture of Silk in England.-Invention of
the Stocking Frame.-Tardiness of its Adoption.
CHAP. III.
25
HISTORY OF SILK CONTINUED.-ATTEMPTS TO NATURALIZE THE SILK-
WORM IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
Extension of the Culture in France by Henry IV.-Efforts of James I.
to promote the same Object in England.-His Failure.-Partial and
temporary Success in American Colonies.-Renewal of the Attempt
in England.-Signal Success in India.-Exertions of the Russian
Government.-Silk produced in Bavaria.-In Prussia.-In the Mau-
ritius.-Notice of Attempt in Sweden.-Formation of a Silk Com-
pany in England.-Endeavor to produce Silk in Ireland.-This At-
tempt abandoned.-Hope of Success in Malta.-Recent Attempt in
St. Helena.
CHAP. IV.
TRADE OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN SILK.
34
China-France.-Italy.-Sicily.-Turkey.-Switzerland. - Prussia.-
Russia.
46
CHAP. V.
PROGRESS MADE IN ENGLAND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AND TRADE
IN SILK.
Earliest Records of the Introduction of small Wares.-Of broad Silks.
-Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.-Royal Lustring Company.-
Treaty of Utrecht.-Commercial Treaty with France.-Introduction
of Throwing-machinery at Derby from Piedmont.-Distress of
Weavers. Their tumultuary Proceedings.-Prohibitory Laws.-
Spitalfields Act.-Bengal Silk.-Reduction of Duties.-Removal of
Restrictions on foreign Importations.-Repeal of Spitalfields' Acts.—
Great Extension of Silk Manufacture.-Improvements.-Compara-
tive Amount of Trade.-Smuggling.-Cost of manufacturing in
France and England.-Duties and Drawbacks.
PART II.
ON THE CULTURE OF SILK.
....
ON THE CULTURE OF THE MULBERRY TREE.
55
Different Species of the Mulberry tree.-Comparative Qualities as
Food for Silkworms.-Soil and Situation most favorable for its
Growth.-Manner of raising it.-From Seed.-From Cuttings.-In-
grafting.-Number of Broods of Silkworms annually reared in dif-
ferent Countries.-Nutritive Qualities of the Mulberry leaf.-Pre-
servation of Leaves.-Quantity of Leaves that may be annually
taken from one Tree.-The Mulberry leaf sacred to the Silk-
86
worm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SILKWORM.
Various Changes of the Worm.-Its small Desire of Locomotion.—
Manner of casting its Exuvia. Sometimes cannot be fully accom-
plished. Consequent Death of the Insect.-Progress of its Existence.
-Material of which its Silk is formed.-Mode of its Secretion.-
Manner of Spinning.-Floss silk.-The Cocoon.-Its Imperviousness
to Moisture. Transformation of Worm into a Chrysalis.-Periods in
which its various Progressions are effected in different Climates.—
Effects of increased Temperature.-Modes of artificial Heating.—
Coming forth of the Moth.-Manner of its Extrication.-Increase in
Weight and Bulk of the Silkworm.-Number of Eggs produced.-
Length, &c. at different Ages.-Silkworms injuriously affected by
Change of Climate.-Varieties of Silkworms.-Small Worms.-
Large Species.-Produce yielded by these.
94
......
MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS IN CHINA.
Silkworms sometimes reared on Trees.-Produce inferior to that spun
in Houses.-Mode of delaying the hatching of Eggs.-Method of
hatching. Situation of Rearing-rooms.-Number of Meals.-Ne-
cessity for preventing Damp. For preserving Cleanliness.-Space
allotted to Worms.-Preparations for Spinning.-Collection of Co-
coons.-Destruction of Chrysalides.-Buildings employed for rearing
Silkworms in India.
MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS IN EUROPE.
108
Great Degree of Carefulness required.-Absurdities formerly believed
concerning Silkworms.-Choice of Eggs.-Modes of hatching.-
Use of Stove-rooms.-Their Temperature.-Conveying of Worms
to Rearing-house.-Necessity for classing Worms according to their
Ages. Rev. Mr. Swayne's Apparatus.-Space allowed to Worms.-
Mode of feeding.-Quantity of Leaves consumed.-Arbors for
spinning-Necessity for Attention to minute Points in Management.
-Regulation of Temperature.-Silkworms.-Will not spin in cold
Atmosphere.-Ventilation.-Effect of Noise.-Electric Influence.-
112
Conductors.
GATHERING AND SORTING COCOONS.
Method of gathering.-Sorting.-Selecting for Seed.-Proportion set
apart for breeding.-Methods of destroying Vitality of Chrysalides.-
By the Solar Rays.-In Ovens.-By Steam Heat.-Preservation of
Cocoons.-Separation of damaged. Good Cocoons.-Pointed Co-
coons.-Cocalons.-Dupions.-Soufflons. - Perforated Cocoons.-
Choquettes. Calcined Cocoons.-Their relative Value.-Proportion
of pure Silk in Cocoons.-Proportional Weight of Eggs and Cocoons;
and of Mulberry leaves.-Quantity of reeled Silk from each Cocoon.
-Weight and Size.-Labor required.-Deductions.
CHAP. VI.
DISEASES OF SILKWORMS.
124
Generally result from bad Treatment.-Silkworms frequently reared
in Cottages of Peasants.-Count Dandolo.-His great Improvements.
-Dandolieres.-Mephitic Air.-Moisture.-Experiments.-Jaundice.
-Remedy.-Chlorine Gas.-Chloride of Lime.-Fumigation.-Light
not injurious.-Description of Apartments allotted to Silkworms in
Cottages.-Ill Effects which arise to their Attendants.
132
CHAP. VII.
ATTEMPTS TO SUBSTITUTE OTHER FOOD FOR MULBERRY LEAVES IN
REARING SILKWORMS.
Doctor Bellardi's Experiment.-Lettuce-leaves.-Comparative Produce
of Worms fed with these and with Mulberry leaves.-Miss Rhodes's
Experiments.-Lettuce-leaves successfully used in a Hot-house.-
Mrs. Williams's Experiments.-Natural Antipathy of Silkworms.—
Leaves of Scorzonera.-Recent Attempt to rear Silkworms in Eng-
land.-Abandoned for want of sufficient and appropriate Food... 137
CHAP. VIII.
ATTEMPTS TO PRODUCE SILK FROM DIFFERENT ANIMATE CREATURES.
The Spider.-Discovery by Mons. Bon.-Manner of Spiders producing
their Web.-Power of producing this of various degrees of Tenu-
ity. Great number of Fibres composing one Filament.-Different
Kinds of Threads.-Spider Bags.-Silk made from these by Mons.
Bon.-Manner of its Preparation.-Great comparative Advantages
adduced by Mons. Bon.-His Spider Establishment.-Investigations
by Reaumur.-His Objections.-Small Produce of Silk from Spiders.
-The Pinna.-Description.-Delicacy of its Threads.-Reaumur's
Observations.-Spinning Organ of the Pinna.-Manner of forming
its Thread.-How different from that of Land Insects.-Power of
continually producing new Threads.-"The Pinna and its Cancer Friend."-Nature of their Alliance.-Manner of taking the Pinna.
-Its Threads known to the Ancients.-Peculiar Qualities of this
Material.
141
PART III.
ON THE MANUFACTURE OF SILK.
REELING.
Arrangement of Filature.-Separation of different kinds of Cocoons.
-Description of Reel.-Manner of Reeling.-Construction and
Proportions of Reel regulated by Law in Piedmont --Precautions.
-Size of Threads.-Regulation of Temperature.-Waste Silk.-
Quantity reeled in a given Time.-Mode of ascertaining Fineness
of Thread.-Spun Silk.-Fleuret.-French inferior to Italians in the
Art of Reeling-Regulations and Restrictions in Piedmont.-Their
Oppressiveness and Impolicy.
154
CHAP. II,
THROWING.
Art brought from Italy.-Improvements since made.-Singles.-Tram. Organzine.-Boiling to discharge Gum.-Italian thrown Silk-