18 FEBRUARY 1865, Page 3

The British Consul at Newchang reports to the Shanghai Chamber

of Commerce the existence of a silkworm which feeds upon oak leaves. The silk is a little coarse, but the Chinese mix it with cotton, and so make silk of a rough texture, which is used to a very large extent. Mr. Major, the Consul, who has had a very large experience, is inclined to think the oak-eating worm might be .crossed with the mulberry-eating species of Europe, which is slowly dying out,—no man knows why. The suggestion seems clever, but the Shanghai Chamber is an odd body to make it to. They do not want to see the production of silk in Italy and France revive again.