COCCUS 103 



tinued hunger and lengthened toil, and give back vigor 

 to the limbs and strength to the weak body, tottering 

 under its burden, in a manner such as ye, Bacchus and 

 Ceres, deities both, could never do. The Quitoita, 

 carrying three of these as supplies, for their journey, 

 will sometimes endure for twice three days, and feasting 

 abundantly upon these leaves, will traverse the dreadful 

 Andes, a frightful land, situated among the highest 

 clouds, the home of winds and rain and winter storm, 

 and likewise thine, brave Coca, whom the warlike god- 

 dess Venus derides as an insignificant leader! Nor 

 shalt thou be less esteemed for thy admirable quali- 

 ties, illustrious Coca, than for thy services to man- 

 kind. The merchant fears not to seek thee here, to bear 

 thee hence. Yearly he loads the groaning Vicugni and 

 Paci in countless numbers with thy leaves, bringing a 

 pleasing commerce to the wretched world." 



Thus speaks the mother Pachamama, her skin 

 painted with numberless figures, and with a nod bids 

 Hovia to advance, Hovia, bearing fruits stony and 

 despised, but ranking next in value to those of Coca, 

 though of different kind. 



COCCUS (Cochineal) 



Mentioned first in 1830 (New York) edition. Official in all 

 following editions of the Pharmacopeia. 



The cochineal insect, Coccus cacti, is native to Mexico 

 and tropical America, where it feeds on favored species 

 of cactus. These insects were thence imported into the 

 Canary Islands, where they are now raised in large 

 numbers, as well as in the West Indies and other coun- 

 tries. They are sources of great profit to the Mexicans, 

 who, so far as known, have always been acquainted 



