THE COCSINEAE. 
443 
Genus II. — Coccus. The Cochineal , 
The infects of this tribe, prefent the moft fmgular form 
which we have, perhaps, yet iurveyed in this department 
of animated nature. They were long imported into Eu- 
rope as an article of commerce, before their claim to rank 
among animals was admitted. 
The males are commonly of a fmaller fize than the fe- 
males ; the former have two erect wings, while the lat- 
ter are apterous ; the roftrum is fituated in the breall - 
the antennas are fetaceous, and the poifers or halteis ate 
wanting; the pofterior part of the abdomen is briflly , or 
velveted *. 
Several fpecies of thefe infects are found upon Euro- 
pean plants ; that, however, upon the pimpinella roots, 
called the grain of fcarlet of Poland, was long known in 
this part of the world, as a dye, before the Mexican co- 
chineal was introduced. A particular liiftory of this 
infeft, which is now no longer an article of commerce^ 
fince the difeovery of Mexico, may be found in B reynius . 
as quoted by Reaumur f. 
The drug at prefent moft in eftimation, for the fine 
colour it gives our clothes, is the cochineal of Mexico , 
an infeft domefticated and reared with great care by the 
Indians. It grows not upon the root, but upon the 
3 K 2 leave? 
* Sjftcma Nature, Old. I!, Gen, ». t IV - P* W* 
