THE AMERICAN COCHINEAL. 297 



Description Cochineal useful to painters, &c. 



the pigment, usually called red lake; the breast is 

 elliptical, and slightly attached to the head. The 

 antennae are above half the length of the body. 

 The legs are of a more brilliant red than that of 

 the other parts. Two fine white filaments, about 

 three times the length of the insect, project from 

 its belly or abdomen. The wings are two, erect, 

 of a faint straw colour, and of a very delicate 

 texture. The female has no wings, is elliptic in 

 its form, and convex on both sides, but chiefly 

 so on the back, which is covered with a white 

 downy substance, resembling the finest cotton. 

 The abdomen is marked with transverse rugae or 

 furrows. The mouth is situated in the breast, 

 having a brown beak, inclining to a purple tint, 

 that penetrates the plant on which the insect 

 feeds. Its six legs are of a clear bright red. 



When the young insects are arrived at their 

 full growth, they adhere to the leaf of the cactus 

 in a torpid state ; and it is at this period that they 

 are taken from the plant for use. They are soon, 

 converted into cochineal, an article, when pro-* 

 perly prepared, of great utility to painters 



VOL. vi. NO. 45. 2 



