Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1893 — VALUABLE INSECTS. [ARTICLE]

VALUABLE INSECTS.

SCALES THAT ABE NOT ENTIRELY PERNICIOUS. .... f. ■ Vast Sums Paid for their Products— Cochineal, China Wax, Shellac and Other Valuable Articles Come from Them." When It is considered that there are between 500 and 600 different named varieties of the scale-bug family or coccus, as it is known to entomologists, and that the list is continually being extended, it is not a matter for surprise that the ingenuity of man should have made some of them useful to him, or cause them to minister to his need or his luxury. On'e of the earliest of the scale-bug family to be impressed into the service of man was that branch of it known as kermes, or, t<s entomologists, as the coccus ilicis. This is found in abundance on a small species of evergreen oak, common in the south of France and many other parts of the world, and from the time of the Phoenicians has been held in high esteem on account of the beautiful blood red and scarlet dye manufactured from it. It was used for coloring the costly fabrics of the wealthy and favored classes, and was valued for its lasting qualities as well as for its beauty. In the earliest historical period it formed au important article of commerce, and found its way to Egypt, Arabia, Persia and Jerusalem. The red used in dyeing the mummy cases and the dye of the fabrics, which has retained its brilliancy for so many centuries, is supposed to have been the product of this scale insect. The dye used for coloring the curtains of the tabernaole, mentioned in Exodus 26, was also derived from the same source. It was from this insect also that the Greeks and Homans produced their famous crimson and from the same lowly source were derived the imperishable reds of the Flemish and other- famous tapestries. Iu short, previous to the discovery of America and the subsequent introduction cochineal, kermes was the material most universally used for producing the most brilliant reds and oranges then known. The insect itself appeared like a little spherical shell fixed upon the bark. Iu color it is a brownish red. The gathering of the kermes crop at one time formed a most important part of the labor of a large portion of the French peasantry. The work was generally performed by women, who carefully removed the insects one at a time from the seat of lodgement with their finger-nails, and the gathering of about two pounds per day was considered good work. When gathered they were immersed in vinegar to kill the insects and preserve the color, after which they were dried and were then ready for the market. Another scale insect used formerly very much and still to some extent for the same purpose is commonly known as the scarlet grain of Poland, or coccu polonicus. This is found attached to the roots of a perennial plant known as knawel, which was extensively cultivated for the purpose, and from this some large quantities were collected. It is still very extensively used by the Turks and Armenians for dyeing wool, silk and hair, as well as for staining the nails of the ladies’ fingers. Remote as were Europe and America before the discovery by Columbus, the requirements of men had led the people of both hemispheres into the same channel and in Mexico, ages before it was known to Europe, a scalebug produced the most valued of dyestuffs. In so high esteem was it held that its ownership formed one of the prerogatives of royalty, and large districts were put under tribute to supply a certain amount each year for the use •of the Montezumas. This was the insect now known as the cochineal.

After the conquest of Mexico and the Spaniards under Cortez some of this dye was taken to Spain and there so much admired that he was instructed to procure it in as large quantity as possible. The demand grew from this until Humboldt estimated that the annual importation of this one scale insect into Europe amounted to 800,000 pounds, each pound composed of 70,000 insects. The money value of these was $1,875,000. The use of aniline dyes has reduced the demand for cochineal, but for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1890, the United States alone imported 202,931 pounds, valued at $42,435. The cultivation of the cochineal forms an important branch of industry in Mexico,where a large number of natives, called from their employment nopaleros, are employed in it They plant their nopaleries, usually about an acre or an acre and a half in extent, on cleared ground, on the slopes of mountains or ravines two or three leagues distant from their villages. These are planted with a species of cactus known as the tuna de castilla, and the plants are in a condition to support the cochineal the third year. To stock his nopalery the proprietor purchases in the spring some branches of the cactus laden with the newly hatched insects. These are carefully housed until fall, when the females are placed in little nests made from a'sor£ of flux taken from the petals of the palm tree. These nests are then distributed among. the nopals, being fastened between the leaves and turned toward the sun. From these nests soon issue large numbers of young cochineals, for euch female produces some thousands of them. These spread over the whole plant and attach theihselves. In about four months the first crop of insects is ready to gather. This is a proceeding that requires much care and is performed by the wo oen, who sit or squat in front of each uople and carefully brush the insects from the leaves to which they adhere into a sheet spread on the ground to receive them. The insects are then plunged into hot water or put into a hot oven to destroy their life and they are then ready for the market.

Another important and valuable member of the otherwise despised family is the lac insect, or coccus lacca. This is a pigmy of its kind, being but one thirtysixth of an inch in diameter. It is collected from various trees in Intjia, where it is found in such abundance that were the demand ten times as great as it is, there would be no difficulty in supplying it. This substance is made use of in that country in the manufacture of beads, rings and other articles of female adornment. Mixed with sand it is formed into grindstones, and dissolved in water with the addition of lampblack or ivory black and a little borax it composes an ink not easily acted upon when dry by damp or water. When unseparateu from the twigs this substance is known as stick lac. Separated and reduced to powder, with the greater part of the coloring matter extracted by water, it becomes seed lac. Melted and formed into cakes it is lump lac, and strained and made into thin transparent sheets it is known as shell lac. It is employed in the manufacture of sealing wax, very extensively used in varnishes, of which it forms one of the chief ingredients, and is the principal substance used in japanning tinware. A very brilliant and beautiful color is also

extracted from it, used hi artist* under the name of loclake. The United States in 1890 consumed of this scale insect 4,739,465 pounds, for which were paid &502.745. and this formed but a very small portion of the annual consumption of the world of this one bug. Another very useful and valuable scale-bug is found in China, the product of which, like that of cochineal in Mexico under the Montezumas, is the prerogative of royalty. This is the wax insect, from which immense quantities of the subst'.nce known as China wax is produced. There are but two varieties of trees upon which these flourish. Toward the beginning of winter small tumors form op these trees, which increase in size until they become as large as walnuts. These are the nests filled with the eggs that are to give birth to the young wax insects, which when h itched disperse themselves over the leaves and perforate the barb, under which they retire. Their product, which the Chinese call pe-la, or white wax, begins to appear about the middle of June. At first a few filaments, like fine soft wool, are seen springing from the bark around the body of the insect. These increase in quantity and density until the gathering time, which is before the first hoar frost in September. The wax is at once carried to court, where it is reserved for the use of the Emperor, the princes and the chief mandarins. An ounce of this added to a pound of oil forms a wax resembling becs-wax, except in color. It is employed in medicine, and Chinese orators when about to address au audience eat it to give them courage and assurance.—[San Francisco Chronicle.