So, late in March, the insects are tied up in a leaf of the wood oil tree, then placed in gourd like receptacles which are packed into two large bamboo baskets.
Runners or porters lift the baskets on their shoulders, and, traveling entirely at night – for to submit the insects to the midday heat would cause the pupal stage to end too soon – traverse the rocky paths and lofty ascents of the Cze-Chuan Mountains to arrive finally at the farming districts.
The baskets of insects are distributed to the farmers, who proceed at once to place the creatures upon the food plant, which is generally a species of flowering ash about five or six feet high.
About the first of June, the females begin to lay their eggs, and the wax cocoons are formed in August in time completely coating every branch and stem.
This crystalline substance produced by E. Pela is white in colour but may have a slight yellowish tinge, and it has no taste or smell.
[4] Chinese wax is used chiefly in the manufacture of sizes, candles, temple images and other articles connected with ceremonial worship, and polish for furniture.