328 DIRECT BENEFITS DERIVED FROM INSECTS. 



stem a powder, which when collected forms the wax*. 

 But as he merely states that this powder was " sup- 

 posed'''' to form it, and does not himself appear to have 

 made the experiment of dissolving it in oil; and as no 

 Cicada yet known produces any similar secretion ; it is 

 most probable that his information was incorrect, and 

 that Grosier's statement is the true one. 



This probability is nearly converted into certainty by 

 the fact that many Aphides and Cocci secrete a wax- 

 like substance, and that a kind of wax very analogous 

 to the Pe-la, and of the same class with bees- wax, only 

 containing more carbon, is actually produced in India 

 by a nondescript species of Coccus remarkable for pro- 

 viding itself with a small quantity of honey like our 

 bees. This substance, for specimens of which I am in- 

 debted to the kindness of Sir Joseph Banks, was first 

 noticed by Dr. Anderson, and called by him wfiite-lac. 

 It could be obtained in any quantity from the neigh- 

 bourhood of Madras, and at a much cheaper rate than 

 bees-wax ; but the experiments of Dr. Pearson do not 

 afford much ground for supposing that it can be advan- 

 tageously employed in making candles''. De Azara 

 speaks of a firm white Avax apparently similar, and the 

 produce of an insect of the same tribe, which is collect- 

 ed in South America in the form of pearl-like globules 

 fi'om the small branches of the Quahiramy\ a small 

 shrub two or three feet high *". 



Insects in some countries not only furnish the natives 

 with wax but with resin, Avhich is used instead of tar 

 for their ships. Molina informs us that, at Coquimbo 



* Embassy to China, i. 400. " Phil. Trans. 1794, xxi. 



* Voyage dans VAincr. Mcrid. i. 164. 



