494 J 



destined to remain in its present position, it renews activity 

 and commences to throw up around itself a more perfect 

 coating of resin until its body becomes completely incrusted. 

 The proportion between male and female is about i : 5000. 

 The female, after depositing her eggs below her body, com- 

 mences to construct cells round each with as much precision 

 as the bee forms its comb. As time advances, further changes 

 are visible ; the body of the female enlarges considerably and 

 becomes brilliantly coloured. The red colour is due to the 

 formation of a substance intended as food for the offspring. 

 The eggs germinate below, and the larvae eating their way 

 through the body of the mother, make their escape to repeat 

 their cycle of existence. 



797. After inoculation the insects have to be guarded 

 against ants. If this is neglected the struggle for existence 

 usually results in the complete extermination of the lac insect.. 

 Another cause of failure is inoculation in the rainy season, 

 instead of in the dry season. The heavy down-pour of rain ^ 

 gradually washes away the insects when they are few in , 

 number. When they have once established themselves in, a, 

 plantation, rainfall or ants do not do any noticeable harm, , 



798. The colour of the lac resin varies from a bright 

 orange* to a darkish garnet according to the particular species - 

 of tree or shrub, on which it is grown. Thus the Schleiphra, - 

 trijuga (Kusumb of Manbhum) yields lac of a bright orange 

 colour, while Butea frondosa (palas) yields a dark garnet 

 coloured lac. The grewias (Phalsa tribe), ficus, cajanus 

 indicus, baer and acacias give intermediate tints. The value 

 of the tint depends on the brightness of its colour. The 

 relative proportions of resin and lac-dye secreted by the 

 insects are also affected by the species of tree on which they 

 feed. Dr. Watt attributes differences in the quality of lac to 

 actual difference in the species of lac insects. 



799. Lac is obtained in a perfectly natural or wild state 

 in the forests of India, Burma, Siam and other countries, the 



