Kew Science

Catalogue Number: 69743
No Image	Plant Name	151.01 EUPHORBIACEAE Ricinus communis	Entry Book Number
	Artefact Name	Seeds, silk worms & cocoons	Vernacular Name
	Iso Country	Not defined	TDWG Region	Not defined
	Parts Held	Seeds, silk worms & cocoons	Geography Description	Palestine
	Uses	Seeds, silk worms & cocoonsUse: User: Not defined	TDWG use
	Storage	Bottles etc, outsize	Related Items
	Donor		Donor No
	Donor Date		Donor Notes
	Collector		Collector No
	Collection Notes		Collection Date
	Exhibition		Expedition
	Number Components		Publication
	Notes:	Label source: Eri Silk worms fed on Castor Oil plants - 15 tubes of different varieties of castor oil seeds from Palestine plus cocoons of Eri silk and different stages in the life history of the Eri silk worm Attacus ricini Boisd. Also cocoons of the Mu, lberry silk worm from various regions Eri silk is obtained from the cocoon of a caterpillar Attacus ricini Boisd. which feeds on the leaves of the castor oil plant. The silk differs from that obtained from other silk worms in that it cannot be reeled ie, a single thread cannot be obtained from one cocoon as can be done with a cocoon of the mulberry silk worm. The cocoon is spun by the Eri-worm in layers and is so constructed that the moth may be allowed to develop inside the cocoon and come out naturally., The cocoon need not, therefore, be stifled (ie steamed or heated to kill the insect inside), as must be done with the mulberry or tussar silk ... ... all the coccons reared can be made into thread.