DIRECT BENEFITS DERIVED FROM INSECTS. 323 



their cochineal insects in the plains from October to 

 April, and at the beginninjr of the remaining months, 

 during which it rains in the plains, transport them to 

 their plantations of nopals in the neighbouring moun- 

 tains, where the weather is more favourable. 



Much care is necessary in the tedious operation of 

 gathering the cochineal from the nopals, which is per- 

 formed with a squirrel or stag's tail by the Indian women, 

 who for this purpose squat down for hours together be- 

 side one plant ; and notwithstanding the high price of the 

 cochineal, it is to be doubted if the cultivation would be 

 profitable were the value of labour more considerable. 



The cochineal insects are killed either by throwing 

 them into boiling water ; by exposing them in heaps to 

 the sun; or by placing them in the ovens {Temazealli) 

 used for vapour baths. The last of these methods, which 

 is least in use, preserves tiie whitish powder on the body 

 of the cochineal, which being thus less subject to the 

 adulterations so often practised by the Indians, bears a 

 higher price both in America and Europe^. 



The quantity at present annually exported from South 

 America is said by Humboldt to be 32,000 arrobas, 

 there worth 500,040/. sterling'' — a vast amount to arise 

 from so small an insect, and well calculated to show us 

 the absurdity of despising any animals on account of 

 their minuteness. So important is the acquisition of 

 this insect (of which the Spanish government is ex- 

 tremely jealous) regarded, that the Court of Directors of 



^ Humboldt's Political Essay on New Spain, iii. 72-9, 



'' Ibid. iii. 64. — Dr. Bancroft estimates tlio present annual con- 



sumptionofcochinealinGrcatBritaiuat about 7^0 bags.or 150,0001bs. 



— worth at the present price .'37o,()00/. 



Y 2 



