country, Humpotpr assures us, that the rearing of Cochi- 
neal, would prove an unprofitable employment. After 
being gathered, the insects are killed by boiling water ; 
or by exposing them in heaps to the sun; or by means of 
the vapour baths of the Mexicans (temazcalli) ; and when 
dry, they are fit for exportation. By the latter method, the 
powdery substance is preserved, which increases the value 
of the insects in commerce. 
Doctor Bancrorr has estimated the annual consumption 
of Cochineal in Great Britain only, at about seven hundred 
and fifty bags, or 150,000 tbs., worth £275,000, “ a vast 
amount,’’ as the authors of the introduction to Entomol 
observe, “ for so small a creature, and well calculated to 
shew us the absurdity of despising any animals, on account 
of their minuteness.” According to the same writers, the 
only kind of Cochineal that has been conveyed to the East 
Indies, is the Sylvestre from Brazil ; and the Court of 
Directors of the East India Company offered a reward of 
£6,000 to any person who should introduce the more valu- 
able sort. | 
Since our plate and description of this plant were com- 
pleted for publication, unfortunately, too late to render that 
justice to them which the subject required, we have been 
most obligingly favoured by W. T. Arron, Esq. with a 
drawing and specimens of the Insects, from the Royal Gar- 
dens at Kew; which we have added to our plate. Their 
introduction to the Royal Gardens was in the year 1814, 
from Martinico, by Mon. Casretneau d’Auros, late super- 
intendent of the Botanic Garden on that island. 
—_.. 
Tas. 2741, A. entire plant, much reduced. 3 
Tap. 2742, B. f. 1. Section of the Flower, tore wg) p> mg 
magnified. 3. Ovule ditto. 4, Ripe Fruit, and 5, Section » an 
6, Seed from ditto, natural size. 7. Seed, magnified. 8. Male Cochineal 
Insect (Coccus Cacti) natural size. 9. Two of the same, magnified. 10. 
Female Insect, natural size. 11. Two of the same, magnified. 
