HABITAT OF THE COCHINEAL. 117 



and, under pretence of adjusting his stirrups, 

 entered into conversation with the Indian pro- 

 prietor of the garden. He asked him with appa- 

 rent indifference what was the use of those plants, 

 and was answered, that they were for the cultiva- 

 tion of grana. Feigning surprise, de Menonville 

 asked to be permited to see this grana, and he was 

 really astonished when the insect was brought to 

 him, for he had supposed it red, and it was in fact 

 covered with a white powder. " My doubts," he 

 says, " were tormenting, but I suddenly thought 

 of the expedient of crushing one upon white paper, 

 when what did I see ? the true purple of kings ! " 

 Full of delight and anticipation, the traveller now 

 set forward towards the spot where he might hope 

 to make himself acquainted with the culture of 

 the precious insect, and purchase a store for trans- 

 portation. 



Nothing could be more beautiful than the situa- 

 tion of Guaxaca, capital of the province of that 

 name. Standing in the midst of fertile and ex- 

 tensive plains, at the foot of a majestic mountain 

 range, and watered by a fine and noble river, this 



