may not be able to obtain
that number, I will here repeat the substance of my remarks, adding as
much new matter as subsequent experience has afforded.

The silk from the _Yamamai_ being considered superior to that produced
by any other of the substitute silk moths, great efforts have been
made in Europe to acclimatize it; but, it must be confessed, hitherto
with but slight success. There are exceptions, however, particularly
among amateurs in Germany, sufficient to show that success is
possible. The Baron de Bretton raises about 27,000 cocoons annually.

In this country but little has been done, or attempted, and that
little has not been very successful.

The fact is, that _Yamamai_ is a difficult moth to rear in a country
like this, where in early spring the temperature varies so much; but
that success is possible, I am convinced.

The moth emerges from the cocoon in the latter part of the summer,
copulates, lays its eggs, and of course dies. And now the trouble
commences; that is, with eggs laid, say in Japan, from whence we
mainly get our supplies.

As soon as the egg is laid, the young larva commences its formation,
which in a short time (about one month) is perfected. It lies in the
egg in a quiescent state till early spring. If the egg remain in the
country where it is laid, and is kept at a pretty even temperature,
and free from damp, the caterpillar emerges in a healthy condition.
But if it be removed some thousands of miles, passing in the transit
from heat to cold, and back to heat again: and if, in addition, it
be closely confined in a damp place, with little or no circulation of
air, the egg is attacked by a fungus which sometimes prevents the worm
from emerging at all; or, if it emerge, it is in a sickly condition.
That these conditions obtain in the transit of eggs, from Japan
to Europe, and thence to America, is evident enough; and it may,
therefore, require the efforts of many persons, continued for a long
time, to enable us to acclimatize the _Yamamai_. But this is all that
is required, and I feel confident that ultimate success is certain.

On hatching out, the worm is of a brimstone yellow, and thinly covered
with strong hairs; after the second month it is greenish, with black,
longitudinal streaks, and the thread a dull coral red color. After the
third month it becomes of a fine apple green, with yellow tubercles
on each segment, from which issue a few black hairs. The head and legs
are choc