42 RHYNCOTA. 



size, and lose their anal setae, as well as tlieir former 

 activity. In this state they remain throughout the 

 winter, without any diversity of appearance indicative 

 of the sexes ; and it is not until the following April 

 that this is first perceived by the further increased 

 growth of the females, and by the males assuming the 

 pupse state, which is quiescent, with the limbs arranged 

 upon the breast, the fore-legs being directed forwards, 

 a peculiarity not occurring in any other insects 

 (Westwood, Vol. ii., p. 446). The males have one pair 

 of wings, which are nearly destitute of nerves ; two 

 long tail-filaments proceed from the posterior extremity 

 like those of the genus Baetis in the Ephemeridcu ; the 

 mouth of the male Coccus is rudimentary, and in- 

 capable of mischief. The British species of Coccidce are 

 numerous, the C. Aceris of the sycamore is one of the 

 most common. 



The exotic Cocci have long been celebrated for the 

 beautiful dyes they yield ; the Coccus cacti, which may 

 sometimes be seen m English hothouses, produces 

 cochineal. This insect is originally a native of Mexico, 

 but it has become naturalized in other countries. Lac, 

 or shell-lac, used for making varnish, sealing-wax, and 

 paints, as the lake of the water-colour artist, is produced 

 by an Indian species of Coccus. The small narow 

 seed-like scales common on the rind of oranges are the 

 remains of another kind of Coccus. 



