The scarlet or crimson of Scripture—Signification of the word Toââth—The Coccus or Cochineal of Palestine compared with that of Mexico —Difference between the sexes-Mode of preparing the insect—The Arabie word Kermes.
WE now come to another order of insects.
Just as the purple dye was obtained from a mollusk, the scarcely less valuable crimson or scarlet was obtained from an insect. The Hebrew word tolââth is translated in the Authorized Version either as “crimson” or “scarlet," but its full signification is the Crimson-worm. This is an insect scientifically named Coccus ilicis on account of its food It is closely allied to the well-known cochineal of Mexico, which gives a more brilliant dye, and has at the present day nearly superseded the native insect. It is, however, still employed as a dye in some parts of the country.
As its name imports, it feeds on the holm oak (Quercus coccifera), a tree which is very plentiful in Palestine, and attains a large size.
Like the cochineal insect of Mexico, the female is very much larger than her mate, and it is only from her that the dye is procured. At the proper season of year the females are gathered off the trees and carefully dried, the mode of drying having some effect upon the quality of the dye. During the process of drying the insect alters greatly, both in color and size, shrinking to less than half its original dimensions, and assuming a grayish brown hue instead of a deep red. When placed in water it soon gives out its coloring matter; and communicates to the water the rich color with which we are familiar under the name of carmine, or crimson. This latter name, by the way, is only a corruption of the Arabic kermes, which is the name of the insect.
The reader will remember that this was one of the three sacred colors—scarlet, purple, and blue—used in the vestments of the priests and the hangings of the tabernacle, the white not taking rank as a color.
The Coccus belongs to the Homoptera in common with the cicadæ, the lantern flies, the hoppers, and the aphides.
On page 623 the large females are shown on the prickly pear, and near them are the tiny males, some flying and some on the leaves.