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Coccus Polonicus, c1745-1807

© 2021 Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Description

Glass jar containing specimens of ‘Polish cochineal’ insects (Kermes ilicis? Porphyrophora polonica?), used for making dye. From the Burges Collection.

Text on paper labels reads ‘Catal. mat. med. p. 125 No. 49’ and ‘COCCUS POLONICUS’.

Pomet writes of the use of the cochineal but is confused as to whether its source is an insect or a seed.