COCHINEAL. 
341 
trees which are found on the uncultivated moun- 
tains on both sides of the Ganges, and are so abun- 
dant, that even if the annual consumption greatly- 
exceeded what it does, there would be more than 
enough to supply the markets. Mr. Kerr, who 
has given a particular account of this species in the 
seventy-first volume of the Philosophical Trans- 
actions, says, that in the year 178I gum lac in 
Dacca was sold for twelve shillings the hundred 
weight, notwithstanding the greatest part of it is 
collected in Assam, which is a part of Asia at a great 
distance from Dacca. 
The trees upon which these insects are chiefly 
found are the Ficus religiosa and Ficus iridica, Linn. 
The young ones for some time after they are pro- 
duced, which is in the months of November and 
December, continue to wander about the branches 
till they at length fix themselves on the succulent 
parts of the young shoots. By the middle of 
January they have all attached themselves to their 
particular situations ; and although they now cease 
to show any signs of life, yet they appear as plump 
as before. Their legs, antennae, and the bristles of 
the tail, however, are no longer to be seen, and their 
bodies appear to be glued to the branch by a semi- 
transparent gelatinous liquid, which completely sur- 
rounds them. Phis liquid gradually accumulates 
till about the middle of March, by which time it 
has formed a perfect cell for the insect, which 
now appears like a smooth red bag, of an oval 
shape, without life, and full of a beautiful red liquid. 
