( ^6if ) 
Tho I am dear in my opinion^ that Cochineel is no- 
th ng elfe but the Trunk or hinder part of a living Crea- 
ture, and was perfwaded alfo that the Cochineel Animals, 
like other fnfeds, from Worms, are changed into Flies 5 
yet to content the above mentioned Merchant, as well as 
for my own further fatisfaftion, I have thought fit to re- 
new my Inquiries upon this fubjeft , and in fo doing, I 
muft rejeft fome of my former Pofitions, being now fully 
convincd, that the Cochineel Animals are not produced 
from Worms, but at once bring forth their owa Like- 
nefles. 
I have therefore, as well as I was able, made an Ex^ 
traft ottt of the Philofophical Tranfaftions, Numb. 193 . 
pag. 502. for the Months of March^ Aprils May and Jnm^ 
where is faid as follows. 
Obfervatiom aboHt the mahjng of Cochineel^ .According to the 
Account of an old Spaniard of Jamaica, that had Ihed a 
" great many years in thofe Farts. 
I T is there faid, that there is a certain Plant call'd the 
Prickle Pear, oilnSan Fig 5 the Leaves of which are 
round and thick, and (harp pointed^ that upon the 
Leaves or Twigs of the fa d Plant, are fmall Knobs or 
Protuberances, from whence are produced by the Heat of 
the Sun, little Worms,, that thefe Worms in procefs of 
time become Flies, in Hkenefs to Cow- ladies or Lady- 
birds, as fome call em, which when they are arrived to 
their full Growth, are thus taken : To Windward of the 
Plant, on which thefe Animals are found, they kindle a 
Fire of any combuftible matter (having firft fpread 
Cloaths under, and round about ttie faid Plant) with the 
Smoak of which they are pick ndv fufFocated --^ then 
fhaking the Tree, they catch thtrrnupon thofe Cloaths in 
great nuraDers, and with very little troubk 5 after which 
