NATURAL HISTORY. 223 
chineal is fteepecl in water, or vinegar, the 
parts of the body unfold themfelves ; and 
become fo vifible, as to difplay even the liga- 
ments of the legs. 
The Indians in Mexico, where the propa- 
gation of the cochineal is a confiderable con- 
cern, gather them, and put ten or twelve in 
mofs, or the flue of the cocoa: they are 
then hung upon the thorns of the Indian fig- 
tree, which grows in great quantities round 
their habitations. They are fo prolific at to 
afford three gatherings of them every year. 
As foon as they are collefted, they are de- 
ftroyed. Some they kill by the heat of 
ovens ; and others by throwing them into 
hot water : while many are deflroyed upon 
the hot places ufecl for roafting maiz,e. — 
Three pounds of frefli cochineal weighs but 
one pound when dried. Cochineal will 
prefcrve, for ages, its colouring particles. 
This valuable infeft is ufed for dying fcarlet 
and crimfon. The Indians mix it with gum 
lac, to dye their cloths. The cochineal fur- 
niflies paintei-s with many beautiful and fplen- 
did tints. It is computed, that 880,000 lb. 
of thefe infects is imported yearly into the 
kingdom of Great-Britain. Where it propa- 
gated in the American iflands,' where the 
climate is congenial with this infeft, great 
advantages might be derived ; and as the 
cochineals of Europe refemble greatly thofe 
of America, they might, probably, be pro- 
dudive of emolument. 
THE 
