THE BEETLE. 159 



learnedly described, but very obscurely compre- 

 hended. 



An insect of great, though perhaps not equal 

 use in medicine, is that which is known by the 

 name of the Kermes. It is produced in the ex- 

 crescence of an oak, called the berry-bearing ilex, 

 and appears at first wrapt up in a membranace- 

 ous bladder of the size of a pea, smooth and shin- 

 ing, of a brownish-red colour, and covered with 

 a very fine ash-coloured powder. This bag teems 

 with a number of reddish eggs or insects, which 

 being rubbed with the fingers pour out a crimson 

 liquor. It is only met with in warm countries in 

 the months of May and June. In the month of 

 April this insect becomes of the size and shape 

 of a pea, and its eggs some time after burst from 

 the womb, and soon turning worms, run about 

 the branches and leaves of the tree. They are 

 of two sexes, and the females have been hitherto 

 described ; but the males are very distinct from 

 the former, and are a sort of small flies like gnats, 

 with six feet, of which the four forward are short, 

 and the two backward long, divided into four 

 joints, and armed with three crooked nails. There 

 are two feelers on the head a line and a half long, 

 which are moveable, streaked, and articulated. 

 The tail, at the back part of the body, is half a 

 line long, and forked. The whole body is cover- 

 ed with two transparent wings, and they leap about 

 in the manner of fleas. The harvest of the kermes 

 is greater or less in proportion to the severity of 

 the winter ; and the women gather them before 

 sun-rising, tearing them off with their nails, for 



47 



