136 



THE INSECT WOELD. 



from the Spaniards, and of bestowing it upon the French colonies. 

 He landed in Mexico, and concealed so well the object of his 

 voyage, that he managed to embark and carry to St. Domingo 

 several cases containing plants covered with living cochineals. 

 Unfortunately, a revolution which had broken out at St. Domingo 



Fig. 93. Branch of me Cactus, with Cochineal insects on 



prevented any profit arising from his praiseworthy endeavours. 

 The cochineals 'died, and the Spaniards preserved their monopoly 

 in the rearing of this insect. 



In 1806 M. Souceylier, a surgeon in the French navy, sue- 



