98 LECTURE YIII. 



price in the market, as they are less subject to 

 adulteration, a whitish powder being preserved 

 on them. The quantity of these insects im- 

 ported from South America for the purpose of 

 procuring a beautiful red dye amounts to up- 

 wards of half-a-million of pounds sterling, a 

 great sum to be derived from so small an 

 insect, and which should show us the folly of 

 despising any animal on account of its apparent 

 insignificance and minuteness. The Spanish 

 Government have always been extremely jealous 

 of any interference with their trade in this in- 

 sect : the East India Company offered a reward 

 of 50001. to any one who should introduce it 

 into India; but the experiment has, I believe, 

 hitherto failed. 



Another insect possesses that valuable material 

 called lac, and is a species of cochineal. It is 

 found on various trees in the East Indies, and 

 the substance is made use of in that country in 

 the manufacture of beads, rings, and other female 

 ornaments. When added to sand, it forms 

 grind- stones ; mixed with lamp or ivory black, 

 being first dissolved in water, and with a little 

 borax, it makes admirable ink. A new prepar- 

 ation of lac-dye is now used, and which, when 



