114 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



the body of the insect appears to result simply 

 from the juices of the particular species of cactus 

 on which it feeds. Yet being to us the only 

 means of obtaining the brilliant dye in question, 

 the cochineal insects must be reckoned highly 

 useful, though involuntary, manufacturers. 



Cochineal insects are very small, delicate crea- 

 tures, remarkable for the great difference in the 

 form of the male and female. The former has a 

 slender body, long antennae, and two large wings ; 

 the latter an oval body, without wings, and short 

 antenna. The mouth in both insects consists of 

 a small conical bill and sucker, adapted for feeding 

 on the juices of vegetables. At first, all the young 

 brood, whether male or female, resemble tiny red 

 tortoises, and are busily engaged in feeding on the 

 stems and leaves of plants, which they pierce with 

 their sharp beaks so as to do much injury. During 

 this active period of their lives the insects continue 

 to increase in size, but the period soon arrives when 

 they undergo a transformation. All the insects fix 

 themselves firmly to plants or stems, and the male 

 soon appears in his new dress as a fly, while the 



