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National Park ServiceFranciscan Brother walking in the ruins of Mission San José's convento
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Cochineal is an insect hidden under what looks like white spit on prickly pear cacti.  

Did You Know?
that the Spanish cornered the market on cochineal, a bug that produces a vivid red color, early in the Spanish colonial period? British officer coats, with which every American school child is familar, were dyed using cochineal.

Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:23 EST