Ill 



length varies from two to three inches or more. The 

 moth is dressed in plain colors but they are rich and 

 tastefully arranged. The wings are gray with rich 

 brown and black markings. There are also four beau- 

 tiful spots. 



Among other insects which are valuable to com- 

 merce, the cochineal must not be forgotten. This in- 

 sect is a very small bug-like creature, of a bright red 

 color. Their bodies when dried and used in a proper 

 manner yield a rich dye which is a well known and ex- 

 tensively used in manufacture and coloring. Another 

 is the coral insect, which is minute in size but power- 

 ful in deed and action, large tracts of land being 

 raised to view or caused to disappear by the action of 

 these exceedingly small creatures. In the oceans and 

 seas this insect makes its home. It always lives under 

 water and when submerged flourishes. The material 

 of which the coral islands and reefs are formed is com- 

 posed of the dead bodies of these insects. They some- 

 times raise islands in the ocean. A few of these are 

 solid while others sink so low in the center as to go 

 out of sight and leave only the edges showing. These 

 are called coral reefs. There are two kinds, fringing 

 reefs and barrier reefs. These coral formations are of 

 a limy texture and are of several colors, the principal 

 being red. This is used to considerable extent in the 

 manufacture of chains, necklaces, breast-pins and other 

 ornaments. The coral insect we see produces changes 

 in the land as well as water, earthquakes and other 

 natural phenomena. 



