Glossary S

Silk

Silk is obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm larva, in a process called sericulture.   Silkworm larvae are fed cut mulberry leaves and after the fourth molt climb a twig placed near them to spin their silken cocoons.   The silk is a continuous-filament fiber consisting of fibroin protein secreted from two salivary glands in the head of each larvae, and a gum called sericin, which cements the two filaments together.   The sericin is removed by placing the cocoons in hot water to free silk filaments ready for reeling.   The immersion in hot water kills the silkworm larva.   Single filaments are combined to form yarn.   The yarn is drawn under tension through several guides and wound onto reels.   Finally, the yarn is dried, sorted according to quality and packed as silk. ^{Wiki n.p.}

Silk was produced in China as early as 2,640 BCE and possibly much earlier.   Its production was a closely guarded secret for millienia while they sold it to foreigners.   Silkworm eggs were secreted into Rome from China, and in 552 CE silk production began in Constantinople, to be spread widely into other western countries later.