Ch. II. SOUTH AMERICA. 327 



thing less than a pea, and in some places are known 

 by the name of Baquilas de San Anton, i. e. St. An- 

 thony's little cows: and such is the figure of the 

 cochineal, except that it has not the fiiculty of rol- 

 ling itself up ; and its magnitude, when at its full 

 growth, does not exceed that of a tick, common in 

 dogs and other animals. 



These insects breed and are nourished on the no- 

 pals, where their eggs are placed among the leaves ; 

 the juice of the plant, which is their sole nourishment, 

 becomes converted into their substance; when, instead 

 of being thin and waterish, and, to all outward ap- 

 pearance, of little or no use, it is rendered a most 

 beautiful crimson colour. The })lant is in May or 

 June in its most vigorous state, and at this favour- 

 able season the eggs are deposited ; and in the short 

 space of two months, from an animalcule, the insect 

 grows up to the size abovementioned : but its infint 

 state is exposed to a variety of dangers j the violent 

 blasts of the north wind sweep away the eggs from 

 the foliage of the plant ; and, what is equallv fatal 

 to their tender constitutions, showers, fogs, and frosts, 

 often attack them, and destroy the leaves, leaving the 

 careful cultivator this only resource*, namely, that of 

 making fíres at certain distances, and filling the air 

 with smoke, which frequently preserve them from the 

 fatal effects of the inclemency of the weather. 



The breeding of cochineal is also greatly obstruct* 

 ed by birds of different kinds, which are very fond 

 of these insects ; and the same danger is to be appre- 

 hended from the worms, &c, which are found among 

 the plantations of nopals : so that, unless constant 

 care be taken to fright the birds away from the plan- 

 tation, and to clear the ground of those various kinds 

 of vermin which multiply so fast in it, the owner will 

 be greatly disappointed in his expectations. 



Vv HEN the insects a're at their full growth, they are 

 gathered and put into pots of earthen ware; but great 



y 4 atieution 



