Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/102

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

(989)

Neither is he wanting in giving an accurrate accompt of the fine texture of the Spinall Marrow, and the Cranium.

But from the Anatomy of the parts he proceeds to their Feeding, and observes the various space of time for it.

He takes further notice, that though Stench be no prejudice to them, yet a Southern Wind and an extreme Hot Air make them sick. He informes us also, how they are ordered after they have fed enough, and are ready to spin; as also, how they spin, what motions and postures they use in that work; how they apply their feet and claws; how they hold their head and other parts of the body; of what figure their Webb is; in what time the Bagg is finisht, together with the difference of the Silk on one and the same bagg, and the conjunction sometimes made by two worms in spinning one bagg, which he saith causeth such an entanglement that the Silk cannot be wound off.

He forgets not to set down the gradual Change of the Silkworm, after 'tis exhausted by spinning; how all the parts are altered, the testicles enlarged, and the whole disposed to assume the form of the Aurelia or Chrysalis, diverting it self of its coat in the space of 1. min, 10. sec; the manner of which he very curiously describes, having attentively beheld it himself. He adds, how the Wings and other parts are form'd for the Papilio or Butterfly, and how indeed the Wings are latitant under the second and third Ring of the Worm, before it works the bagg.

Of the Aurelia he describes its shape and all the parts, and particularly the remaining Vestigia of the silky Intestins, the Ventricle, and the concrete melleous Juyce therein, together with some though rare and scarce perceptible motion of the Heart. Then, how the Aurelia changes into a Butterfly, and in what time, viz. in the space of 10. days in Summer, and in a Months time in Autumne and Winter. Where he adds, how the Eggs begin in the Femals upon their change into Aurelia's, and how at last the Butterfly breaks out by the meanes of its Claws and a sharp liquor.

To this he subjoyns a particular description of the form of the Butterfly, and all its parts; of the Motion of its Heart, of the differencing marks of the Male from the Female; of the curious

structure