Cochineal

koch-1-nel', an insect valuable as a source of dye stuff. It feeds on a branching, almost tree-like, kind of cactus, plantations of which have been established for the purpose in Mexico, Peru, some parts of the West Indies, and, of late, in the Canary Islands, parts of Spain, Algiers, and Java. Cochineal dyes were known to the Mexicans before the invasion of that country by white men. The ladies of Queen Isabella's court begged Cortez to bring them a little of the beautiful dye. The cochineal industry has risen to millions of pounds of insects annually--far beyond the possibilities of the irregular supply formerly brought in by Indians.

The first step is the establishment of a field of cacti. This may be done by seed, by seedlings from a nursery, or best by cuttings, or lobes, planted where they are to grow. The field is ready in a year or two. A supply of insects with their eggs is then placed on each plant, and the young are left to grow up. The insect belongs to what Comstock calls mealy bugs. It is related also to the insect that produces shellac, and to various scale insects that have become orchard and field pests. The full grown male has a pair of wings and two pairs of eyes, but no way of seizing food. The female is a great eater, but has no wings or other means of making her escape. There are perhaps 150 females to one male; and it is the female heavy with eggs that is valuable. They are brushed off the cactus with soft brushes into bags, and are killed at once by dipping in hot water or being put into an oven. A workman gathers about two ounces a day. The insect is of a reddish brown, covered with a white, mealy powder, and is of the size of a small split pea. Seventy thousand are required to weigh a pound. Cochineal dye is produced by steeping the insects. It is scarlet and carmine, of great brilliancy. Cochineal makes a fine red ink as well.