Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 36.djvu/517

Rh in many countries. But most caterpillars have only three moltings. Here I may remark that we define two periods in the moltings: the first, when the worms cease to take food, when we say that they lie down; and the second, when they lay aside their envelope, which we call their getting up. We also say, when we smother them with hot water, that they are taking a bath.



 Climbing the trees, the village boys Fill the air with the songs of their age; Each of the trees has its owner, But every one respects his neighbor's. The living leaf flies to-day into our basket. And the zephyr is less quick than the hand that gathers it.

I am not acquainted with the significance of these terms, to lie down, get up, and take a bath; but I suppose that those who are charged with the duty of raising the Worms wish to give them an orderly regimen. The quality of our silk and the