thin and shrivelled; and, indeed, this is the case to a very remarkable extent. The wings which encircle its body approach nearer to each other as the insect decreases in size, and at length it falls profoundly asleep, in that beautiful emblem of the passage from death unto life--from a lower to a higher state of existence-the chrysalis.

The time during which the silkworm remains in its chrysalis state depends mainly upon the degree of heat to which it is subjected, varying, according to circumstances, from a fortnight to a month. In the hot climate of India the change from the chrysalis to the moth state occupies only eleven days; in Spain and Italy, from eighteen to twenty days; in France, about three weeks; and in Northern Europe, proportionately longer, until we reach the zone in which artificial heat is necessary to produce the transformation at all.

While the cocoon appeared only an inanimate globe of silk, the moth has been slowly but surely developing itself within; and now it begins to labour to extricate itself from its prison. It is furnished with a liquid that softens the gum which gave firmness to the silken envelope; and when, by means of continual motions of its head, it has loosened the silken texture of its house, the moth begins gradually to work its way out. The belief that it effects its liberation, not by pushing aside the threads, but by gnawing them through, is erroneous. In general, a cocoon from which the inhabitant has worked itself free may be removed without any necessary rupture of the silken thread.

The moth lives but a short time, and eats nothing during the last stage of its existence. After two or three days, during which the females have laid a surprising number of eggs, they all die.

We must call our young readers' attention to one or two peculiarities of the silkworm before concluding, with a few necessary instructions for rearing this interesting insect. The marvellous changes the silkworm undergoes have already been enumerated; scarcely less astonishing is its rapid increase in bulk. One of the most patient and scientific of investigators, Count Dandolo, found the weight of 54,000 newly hatched worms to be just one ounce. When the skin had been cast for the first time, 3,840 worms were sufficient to balance the weight of 54,000 newly hatched ones; and this marvellous increase of weight continues with the increased growth of the worm, until, when it has attained its greatest weight, at the period when it commences spinning, each worm weighs, on an average, one-sixth of an ounce, having thus increased in weight nine thousand times within a few short weeks. Fancy, for one moment, an equal growth in a human being-a man who weighed as much as nine thousand new-born babies! Another remarkable circumstance connected with the worm is the astonishing influence produced upon it by change of climate. Worms hatched in the Mauritius from eggs that had been imported from Bengal were inferior in size and in silk-producing capacity to their ancestors; and not only was the quantity of silk they produced sensibly diminished by the change of climate to which they had been subjected, but its quality also was visibly lowered, and no less than four generations were required to restore the transplanted family to its first state of health and usefulness.

FOOD FOR THE SILKWORM-A most important consideration in the rearing of the silkworm, and one which has equal weight in every part of the world where this insect is raised, is the food by which it can be brought to perfection. The mulberry tree seems to afford by far the best sustenance these animals require, and appears, by a provision of Nature, to be peculiarly devoted to the silkworm; for it is an established fact that other creatures of the same class avoid the mulberry leaf, preferring other food, if they can possibly obtain it. Pullein, who wrote nearly a hundred years ago, had already established this fact by experiment. He attempted to feed various kinds of caterpillars and other insects on the mulberry leaf, but they, one and all, refused to be thus dieted. Other observers have confirmed Pullein's statement on this subject; and, although insects have been occasionally discovered feeding on the tree, the presence of these occasional poachers on his estate cannot, for a moment, be said to invalidate the silkworm's claim to consider the mulberry leaf as exclusively devoted to him, in consideration of his spinning

and weaving qualities. The plans adopted for the cultivation of mulberry trees for the support of the silkworm are exceedingly various. The chief object to be attained is that the leaves should contain as much of the nutritious quality required for the creature's development as possible. The silkworm will naturally be more fatigued, and even, perhaps, injured, by the labour of devouring a great number of leaves, than if it could extract the same amount of nutriment from a meal of half the quantity. The quality of the mulberry leaves become thus, at least, as important as their number. If any fermentation has set in, the worm is almost certain to be injured, if not killed, and damp is almost as prejudicial as fermentation. Dandolo asserts, and with great appearance of justice, that it is the resinous substance which, gradually separating from the leaf, and attracted by the organisation of the silkworm, accumulates, clears itself, and insensibly fills the two resinous or silk vessels. According to the different elements which compose a leaf, cases may, therefore, occur in which a greater weight of leaf may yield less that is useful to the silkworm, as well for its nourishment as with respect to the quantity of silk it may produce. Where the mulberry tree cannot be successfully cultivated, silkworms can consequently not be reared in sufficient numbers to become commercially important. Substitutes have, however, to a certain extent, been found for the mulberry; though never, in our own country, with any great amount of success. In India, however, attention has, of late, been drawn, to some extent, to a species of bombyx which lives on a plant entirely different in nature to the mulberry-to wit, the castor oil palm. Experiments made with a parcel of eggs obtained from Calcutta seem to prove that this silkworm may be successfully reared wherever the Palma Christi will grow. The changes in the case of a number of these insects reared by Mr. Milne Edwards seem to have succeeded each other with marvellous rapidity. Worms hatched on the 2nd of August had already changed their skins four times before the 28th. The sedentary qualities which are found so valuable in the mulberry silkworm seem also inherent in the new Indian variety; and from the rapidity with which the changes take place, observers hope to obtain as many as six successions of cocoons within the year. In India, it is asserted, twelve are sometimes yielded.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR MANAGING SILKWORMS.-Having procured a sufficient number of silkworms' eggs, which are to be had at many herbalists' shops, adhering to pieces of paper, you proceed to place these in shallow paper trays, at a window having a southern aspect, in the rays of the bright sun of spring. The vivifying heat will soon hatch the eggs, and you will find the tiny black worms creeping out one by one. These must be put in shallow paper trays, deposited on a table in some light, airy locality, and they must be supplied with mulberry leaves for food. These leaves should have the fibrous parts opened at first, while the worms are very small, but this soon becomes unnecessary. Where mulberry leaves are not procurable, we have seen silkworms very successfully reared on the young leaves of the lettuce; but at best this is only an artificial substitute for the silkworm's natural food, and, where at all procurable, the leaf, the whole leaf, and nothing but the leaf of the mulberry is the thing. The feather of a quill pen should be used in removing the little newly-hatched silkworms to the paper trays, in which the mulberry leaves have been placed for them; never, on any account, take them up with the fingers-atleast, until they have become large and strong. They should be supplied with food daily, and all decayed leaves at once removed; give them plenty of light and air, and keep them free from dust, and they will be sure to thrive. When the silkworm has attained its full size, and is ready to spin, suspend a number of little round paper cones, with the points upwards, from a piece of string, along the wall against which the paper trays are placed; let them be only a few inches above the trays. The Where a

worms

will crawl into the paper abodes and spin there.

great number of worms are kept for the sake of the silk they yield, the cocoons are thrown into boiling water, which loosens the silk, and enables it to be easily wound off. This proceeding, of course, kills the chrysalis; therefore, when this method is adopted, a certain number of chrysalises or aurelias must

be taken out of the cocoons, by clipping the latter open carefully at one end, with a pair of scissors, and sacrificing the silk. These chrysalises must then be placed in a shallow tray, just covered with bran. In due time they will work their way out. The moths are heavy-looking creatures, incapable of flying. They eat nothing, the few days of their existence in this state being entirely devoted to the production of eggs; and then, their destiny fulfilled, they die, as everything on this earth must die, from man himselfthe lord of creation-to the little caterpillar, grasshopper, and butterfly, each of whom has its allotted space, during which it may enjoy existence and be happy.

Gold and Silver Fish.

FEW directions for the management of these beautiful little fish may prevent a great deal of disappointment to any of our young friends who may find amusement in keeping them. Nothing is more disconcerting than finding a continuous mortality, for which you cannot account, prevailing among any of your pets, and this mortification may often be prevented by very few and simple precautions. There are two methods of keeping gold and silver fish-first, in ponds or large tanks, in which they will breed and multiply famously under favourable circumstances; secondly, in glass bowls, in which they look very ornamental, but require very regular care and attention. First, then, we will speak of them as seen in ponds or reservoirs. Small worms, which are common to the water, suffice for their food in general; but the Chinese, who bring gold fish to great perfection, throw small balls of paste into the water, of which they are very fond. They give them also lean pork, dried in the sun, and reduced to a very fine and delicate powder. Gold fish were introduced into England about the year 1691, but remained exceedingly scarce till 1728, when a great number were brought over, and presented to Sir Matthew Decker, by whom they were usually distributed round London. In a good-sized pond they will deposit their spawn very freely; and among the weeds and insects they will find enough food. In the gardens at Hampton Court Palace are to be seen some which have attained a large size; and they seem to appreciate fully the attentions of visitors in feeding them with bread. Gold fish seldom deposit spawn when kept in vases. In order to procure a supply they must be put into reservoirs of a considerable depth, in some parts at least, well shaded at intervals with water-lilies, and constantly supplied with fresh water. At a certain time of the year, numerous barques are seen in the great river of Yangft-se-Keang, which go thither to purchase the spawn of gold fish. This is obtained with no small care, for towards the month of May the inhabitants close the river in several places with mats and hurdles, which extend nine or ten leagues, and leave only a space in the middle sufficient for the passage of boats. The spawn is stopped by these hurdles, and the water being afterwards drawn up, and put into large vessels, is sold to merchants, who send it to all parts.

In keeping gold fish in bowls, be very careful, in the first instance, to procure healthy, shining fish. Those hawked by men about the streets are seldom

good for much, and generally die in a very short time. The signs of disease in a gold fish are its coming frequently to the surface of the water, and occasionally making a clicking noise. When strong enough to breathe properly beneath the surface, it will seldom do this. The water should be changed every day; and the bowl must be frequently wiped round the inside with a cloth, to get rid of any slime that may adhere to it. A few bread crumbs, very small, given once a day, are enough food. Do not put too many fish in one bowl, or they will hunt each other to death. Have a few pebbles at the bottom of the bowl; or better still, a few sprigs of box. Do not let the bowl be shaken violently, for gold fish are very susceptible, and this often kills them. Keep them near an open window, that they may have plenty of light and air; but do not let the sun shine full upon them. Whenever the water in which they swim becomes turbid, it requires changing. In White's "Natural History of Selborne" occur the following valuable and interesting remarks concerning gold fish :-

"When I happen to visit a family where gold and silver fishes are kept in a glass bowl, I am always pleased with the occurrence, because it affords me an opportunity of observing the actions and propensities of those beings with whom we can be little acquainted in their natural state. Not long since I spent a fortnight at the house of a friend where there was such a vivary, to which I paid no small attention, taking every occasion to remark what passed within its narrow limits. It was here that I first observed the manner in which fishes die. As soon as the creature sickens, the head sinks lower and lower, and it stands as it were on its head; till, getting weaker, and losing all poise, the tail turns over, and at last it floats on the surface of the water with its belly uppermost. The reason why fishes, when dead, swim in that manner is very obvious; because, when the body is no longer balanced by the fins of the belly, the broad muscular back preponderates by its own gravity, and turns the belly uppermost, as lighter from its being a cavity, and because it contains the swimming-bladders, which contribute to render it buoyant. Some that delight in gold and silver fishes have adopted a notion that they need no aliment. True it is that they will subsist for a long time without any apparent food but what they can collect from pure water, frequently changed; yet they must draw some support from animalcula, and other nourishment supplied by the water, because, though they seem to eat nothing, yet the consequences of eating often drop from them. That they are best pleased with such jejune diet may easily be confuted, since if you toss them crumbs they will seize them with great readiness, not to say greediness; however, bread should be given sparingly, lest, turning sour, it corrupt the water. They will also feed on the water-plant called lemna (ducks' meat), and also on small fry.

"Nothing can be more amusing than a glass bowl containing such fishes; the double refractions of the glass and water represent them, when moving, in a shifting and changeable variety of dimensions, shades, and colours; while the two mediums, assisted by the concavo-convex shape of the vessel, magnify and distort them vastly; not to mention that the introduction of another element and its inhabitants into our parlours engages the fancy in a very agreeable manner.

"Gold and silver fishes, though originally natives of China and Japan, yet are become so well reconciled to our climate as to thrive and multiply very fast in our ponds and stews. Linnæus ranks this species of fish under the genus of Cyprinus, or carp, and calls it Cyprinus auratus.

"Some people exhibit this sort of fish in a very fanciful way; for they cause a glass bowl to be blown with a large hollow space within, that does not communicate with it. In this cavity they put a bird occasionally; so that you may see a goldfinch or a linnet hopping, as it were, in the midst of the water, and the fishes swimming in a circle round it. The simple exhibition of the fishes is agreeable and pleasant, but in so complicated a way becomes whimsical and unnatural, and liable to the objection—

'Qui variare cupit rem prodigialitèr unam.""

THE Squirrel is a pretty, merry little creature, and deservedly a favourite as a boy's pet. Squirrels exist in almost infinite variety in nearly every part of the world. Among many others, there are the common squirrel of Europe, of a bright reddish brown colour, with white breast and belly-this red colour changing to grey in winter in Lapland and Sweden; the large grey squirrel of Tartary, and the white Siberian squirrel; the grey squirrel of America, now much less common than fifty years ago, when these little creatures used to descend from the mountains in such flocks that they were proscribed for their depredations in the corn-fields, and a price of threepence was set upon the head of each. In Asia, North America, and Mexico we have likewise the black squirrel, called in Virginia the cat squirrel-a very beautiful creature; then there are the palm squirrel, the Barbary squirrel, and the Brazilian squirrel, with many others too numerous to mention. The squirrel is by nature an inhabitant of the woods. Their nests have two holes or entrances, the little inhabitant being careful to stop up the en. trance on the side from which the wind blows. The female squirrel produces a brood of about four young ones each time. Their food in their wild state consists chiefly of young shoots of trees and buds in the spring and summer, and nuts and young fir cones in the autumn. They providently lay up a store of