On cochineal. 



W HEN I lirft applied myfelf to invefligate the nature of Cochi- 

 neal, I concurred in the general opinion which then prevailed, that 

 it was the fruit of fome tree ; and, having at the requeft of the 

 Honourable Mr. Boyle, further profecuted the examination, cacli 

 fingle piece, or fruit, as I then thought it, appeared to contain one 

 hundred or upward.s of what fcemed to me to be v^ry fmall feeds, 

 fliaped like eggs, each inclofed in its particular membrane ; thefe 

 objects, however, I could not bring into view, until the Cochineal 

 had lain in water for Ibme hours, and then, the outer fkin being taken 

 off, thefe apparent feeds, which were very foft, prefented thcm- 

 felves ; many of which were inclofed in the membranes I have 

 mentioned, which feemed to be their natural coats or coverings, and 

 were twice as large as the ieeds thcmfelves : the membranes were 

 filled with a \\atery fubflance, of a lovely red, but the feeds were of 

 a dark red or tawny colour. The feeds themfelves, upon being dif- 

 fe6ted, appeared toconfift of nothing but very )riinute globules of a 

 red colour. 



Tlic remainder of the Cochi;ical, or that part of it wliich inclofed 

 all thefe feeds, was compofed of very thin membranes, which' were alio 

 of a red colour, except th.at a very fmall quantity v,as to be feen, of a 

 certain colourlefs fubilance, which, to me, had the appearance of an oil. 

 And to give an idea cf tlie general appearance of the figure of Coclii- 

 neal, I know not any manner of exprefling it, better th.an by compa- 

 rifoi'i, Vvith a parcel of dried black currants, with their (kins and feeds. 



