English: Author:Alzate y Ramírez, José Antonio de, 1737-1799.Title:Memoria sobre la naturaleza, cultivo, y beneficio de la grana ... [manuscript]Published:1777.Physical Description:[138] leaves, 10 leaves of plates (some folded), bound : col. ill. ; 31 cm.Summary:Copy dated 1777 of Alzate y Ramírez’s extensive, illustrated essay on the nature, cultivation, and benefits of the cochineal insect. The essay, produced by order of the Viceroy Antonio Bucareli y Ursúa, is a study of the cochineal insect from which is extracted the cochineal dye, a very important product of New Spain and one of its chief exports. Alzate discusses the physical appearance of the male and female; the propagation, life cycle, and natural enemies of these insects; and the nopal cactus used as a feeding source. He describes the various methods for harvesting the cochineal dye, such as steaming and drying, and describes how the Spanish government regulates the cultivation and commerce of cochineal. He also includes a specialized vocabulary of terms used in the cochineal industry. There are two appendices: an extract of a newspaper article on the cochineal insect from the Gaceta literaria de la Europe of April 10, 1765; and a detailed description of the nopal from recent scientific works. The ten colored plates contain drawings of the insect, its coccoons, and the nopal cactus, and illustrate how the steam bath and certain utensils are used in the harvesting procedures.Subject (LCSH):Cochineal --Early works to 1800.Cochineal insect --Mexico --Early works to 1800.Nopalea cochinellifera --Mexico.Dyes and dyeing --Early works to 1800.Manuscripts, Spanish --Mexico --Mexico City.Subject (Other):Mexico Mexico City 1777 Manuscripts.Genre/Form:Essays.Drawings.Other Name:Bucareli y Ursúa, Antonio María, frey, 1717-1779.Charles III, King of Spain, 1716-1788.Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) Newberry Library. Manuscript. Ayer MS 1031.Biographical/Historical Note:Mexican priest and natural scientist. Although he studied theology and took his vows in 1756, Alzate spent his time studying and experimenting in mathematics, medicine, and natural sciences. He published a series of periodicals, including Gazetas de literatura, in which were reviewed and discussed current scientific questions and discoveries. He was a member of many scientific societies, and the National Academy of Sciences of Mexico was founded in his honor.Language:In Spanish.References:Butler, R.L. Check list of the mss. in the Ayer Coll., 1031Galarza, J. Prelim. checklist of the Mex. mss., 1031Notes:Remainder of t.p.: Dedicala al rey n[uest]ro. señor don Carlos Tercero (qe. Dios gu[ard]e) por mano del ex[celentísi]mo. sor. Bo. Fr. Dn. Antonio Bucareli, Virrey Govor. y Capn. Gl. de esta N. E., de cuya or[de]n. se escrivió: Dn. Josef Antonio de Alzate, y Ramirez, socio correspondiente de la Rl. Academia de las Ciencs. de París, y de la Sociedd. Vascongda. En Mexico. año de 1777.Spine title: Memoria sobre grana.In box with title: Memoria. Alzate y Ramirez.Illustrations on vellum.Contemporary gold stamped full leather binding.Photograph at 600 dpiDate 10-13-09