INSECTS. 



183 



produce the lac of India, and the splendid dye called 

 " cochineal " of tropical America. The sole possession of 

 the latter insect was an object of jealous care with the 

 government of the Spanish colonies, and so highly was it 

 valued by other nations, that our own East India Com- 

 pany offered a reward of L.6000 sterling to any one who 

 should be so fortunate as to introduce it into their domi- 

 nions. That object has been effected, and cochineal is 

 now cultivated in many countries. 



Finally (for we need not stop to describe the few para- 

 site, darkness-loving, uncomely insects that belong to the 

 wingless orders), we have the order of Diptera, or Two- 

 wings, including the Gnats, the House and Flesh Flies, 

 whose chief distinction is indicated in their name. This 

 is a populous group, and many of its members display 

 habits and instincts which are highly entertaining ; per- 

 haps none more so than those of the common Gnat, from 

 the construction of its tiny boat of eggs, to its emergence 

 from the water, empowered to suck our blood in its mer- 

 ciless practice of phlebotomy. 



