CHAPTER VI. 



MANUFACTURE OF COCHINEAL BY THE COCCUS CACTI, OR COCHINEAL 

 INSECT. 



THE cochineal insect is extremely valuable in 

 commerce, as yielding a brilliant red dye, and we 

 may with propriety class it among insect manufac- 

 tures, because, although its destruction is neces- 

 sary to obtain the colouring matter, (the actual 

 body of the insect forming the dye,) yet this 

 beautiful colour is elaborated from the food on 

 which it feeds, as honey and wax are elaborated 

 by the bee, or silk by the silkworm. We do not 

 find, it is true, any especial care or effort on the 

 part of the insect in the production of the cochineal, 

 and in this respect it differs from the examples 

 already given ; but the rich colour which pervades 



