Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/185

Rh whom we are indebted for the above information, as well as for what follows, does not live for more than from six to twelve days, at least in a state of confinement. It takes no nourishment whatever, not having any mouth or channel by which food could be received. When the female is impregnated, she deposits her eggs on the branches of the tree she may be resting on, to which they adhere firmly by means of the gluten they are covered with when newly laid. This insect is a native of Bengal, Bahar, Assam, &c. The caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the Rhamnus Jujuba (Byer of the Hindoos), and on those of Terminalia alata glabra, known to the Hindoos by the name of Asseen. It is found in such abundance over many parts of Bengal and the adjoining provinces, as to have afforded to the natives, from time immemorial, an abundant supply of a most durable, coarse, dark-coloured silk, commonly called Tusseh-silk, which is woven into a kind of cloth called Tussey doot'hies, much worn by Bramins and other sects of Hindoos. The following more detailed account of this interesting and valuable insect, is from a letter published by Dr. Roxburgh, which was written by Mr. Atkinson to a Mr. Pope of Mahometpore. In reply to the questions that had been addressed to him, the writer states:— "1st, That the cocoons of the insect, which feeds on the Byer leaf, are called by the natives Bughy,