398 COCHINEAL INSECTS. 



been stretched. When arrived within sight of the 

 unusual object, the whole herd instinctively stop, 

 terrified by the fluttering of the feathers, afraid to 

 turn back, and unable to proceed, and are either 

 shot, or noosed by the lasso; they are even so timid, 

 as often to be taken by the hand. But if an alpaca 

 is among them, he, nothing moved by the fluttering 

 of the feathers, dashes through the barrier, and all 

 the rest, being encouraged by his example, boldly 

 follow. 



Cochineal insects are found in great abundance 

 throughout various provinces of Peru; in that of 

 Hambuto especially. They are mostly gathered 

 from the branches of the nopal tree, and form an 

 important article of commerce; being highly esti- 

 mated in every part of the civilized world, on 

 account of the incomparable beauty which they 

 impart to silk and wool, to linen and cotton. The 

 care of these valuable insects is a chief employment 

 of the Indians, both in Peru and New Spain, 

 whereas in other parts, they increase rapidly, with- 

 out the slightest attention, and when gathered, 

 are called grana sylvestris, or wild cochineal, a 

 kind well known in England by the name of cochi- 

 neal mestique. Loja also produces some of the 

 finest quality, but the inhabitants are not careful to 

 collect more than suffices for the dyers in that, and 

 the neighbouring jurisdiction of Cuenca. Hence 

 the carpets of Loja, and the baize of Cuenca, are 

 purchased at high prices, and preferred to all others, 

 on account of the beauty of their colours. Different 

 species of the cochineal abound on the nopal trees, 

 and though the wild are less distinguished for bril- 



