INSECT WHITE-WAX 103 



period they are said to " moult," casting off " a hairy garment 

 which forms in the earliest larval stage." After this period 

 the insects descend to the naked branches, on the underside 

 of which they attach themselves and commence at once 

 to deposit wax. During this early stage heavy rains and 

 wind are much dreaded, since they dislodge the insects, 

 and consequently ruin the business for the season. The 

 deposit of wax, which at first looks very like hoar-frost on 

 the branches, continues up to the latter end of August. 

 (The Chinese reckon 100 days from the time of suspending 

 the insects in the trees.) The deposit is always heaviest on 

 the underside of the branch, and seldom extends equally all 

 round it. 



About the end of August the white coating is scraped from 

 the branches (very often the branches are cut off) and thrown 

 into boiling water. The wax is dissolved and floats on the 

 surface of the water. It is collected by being skimmed off, 

 and whilst in a plastic state is moulded into thick saucer- 

 shaped cakes. The insects sink to the bottom of the vessel 

 containing the boiling water, and are collected and thoroughly 

 crushed to express every particle of wax before being finally 

 flung to the pigs. 



The wax excretion has been attributed to disease, but 

 in the light of present knowledge it seems feasible to regard it 

 merely as a device on the part of Nature to protect the insect 

 from its enemies. The Chinese idea is that the insects live on 

 dew, and the wax perspires from their bodies ! 



The natural enemy of the wax-insect is a species of " Lady- 

 bird," which breeds with them and preys on the larvae. The 

 Chinese designate this enemy " Wax- dog " (La-gho). After 

 the larvse have hatched out, the farmer visits his trees in 

 the heat of the day, and belabours their stumps with a club 

 for the purpose of dislodging this foe. 



The co-operation which obtains in this industry between 

 two separate and distinct districts has led to much confusion. 

 The explanation seems to be that owing to peculiar climatic 

 conditions the insect breeds freely in Chiench'ang Valley, and 

 for similar reasons deposits wax freely in the Kiating pre- 

 fecture. At any rate, it is obvious that one cannot have wax 



