| Reference number | CLP/15i/69 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Paper, 'Explanation of the picture describing the manner of sowing, gathering, and drying the grana or cochineal, done by an Indian in the Bishopric of Oaxaca in the Kingdom of Mexico in America' by unknown author |
| Date | April 1722 |
| Description | The author explains how the hills and mountains bordering Oaxaca are good places for breeding grana or cochineal. The author describes how prickly pear (Opuntia) is planted to attract the grana. The prickly pear can be eaten alongside the grana 'for this plant has no thorns'. The author then explains how after being gathered, the grana is placed, alive, between two earthen dishes, and fired. The grana is then placed on a mat to dry in the sun.
Subject: Agriculture / Entomology
Read to the Royal Society on 26 April 1722 |
| Language | English |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Physical description | Ink on paper |
| Access status | Open |
| Related material | RBO/16/6 for Dr Houston's account of the cochineal harvest with figure |
| Related records in the catalogue | RBO/11/54 |
| RBO/16/6 |