175 



insects collect in great numbers In the beginning 

 of tlie spring on the branches of the chiica, where 

 they form their cells of a kind of soft white wax. 

 In these they become changed into a small yel- 

 lowish molhj with black stripes upon the wings, 

 which I have named phahna ceraria. The wax 

 is at iirst very white, by degrees becomes yellow, 

 and finally brown ; this change, and the bitter 

 taste which it then acquires, is supposed to be 

 owing to the fogs, which are very frequent in the 

 provinces where it is found. It is collected in 

 autumn by the inhabitants, who boil it in water, 

 and afterwards make it up into little cakes, in 

 which form it is brought to market. In order to 

 increase its weight, many are accustomed to mix 

 it with the rosin obtained from another resinous 

 shrub called pcijaro pobo, and in this state great 

 quantities of it are sold to ship-masters, who use 

 it for paying their vessels, the only purpose to 

 which it has hitherto been applied. It is to be 

 regretted that the situation of the Abbe woiild 

 not permit him to pursue his experiments, in or- 

 der to determine whether this rosin might not 

 serve for candles equally as well as bees wax, 

 which it greatly resembles. 



Upon the branches of the wild rosemary is 

 also found a whitisli viscous substance, in glo/- 

 bules of the size of a hazcl-nat, containing a 

 yery limpid oil, which unquestionably proceed* 

 from that shrub, and mli-,hi be found useful for 



