Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IV.djvu/790

 774 COCA COCCIA cross hairs in the telescopes of surveying in- struments are fine webs taken from spiders of species that are especially selected for their production of an excellent quality of this ma- terial. The spider, when caught, is made to spin his thread by tossing him from hand to hand, in case he is indisposed to furnish the article. The end is attached to a piece of wire, which is doubled into two parallel lengths, the distance apart exceeding a little the diameter of the instrument. As the spider hangs and descends from this, the web is wound upon it by turning the wire round. The coils are then gummed to the wire and kept for use as required. About a century ago, Boa of Languedoc succeeded in making a pair of gloves and a pair of stockings from the thread of the spider. They were very strong, and of a beau- tiful gray color. Other attempts of the same kind have been made ; but Reaumur, who was appointed by the royal academy to report on the subject, stated that the web of the spider was not equal to that of the silkworm either in strength or lustre. The cocoons of the lat- ter weigh from three to four grains, so that 2,304 worms produce a pound of silk ; but the bags of the spider when cleaned do not weigh above the third part of a grain, so that a single silkworm can accomplish the work of twelve spiders. It has been said that the spider web is beneficial in intermittent fever, asthma, and hysteria; but careful modern observation has not confirmed the statements heretofore made as to its extraordinary therapeutic virtues. COCA, the dried leaf of the shrub erythroxylon coca, or, as in Prescott's " Conquest of Peru," 44 erythroxylum Peruvianum, or cuca, as called by the natives." This plant is found wild in the mountainous regions of Peru and Bolivia, and Coca. is cultivated in districts elevated from 2,000 to 5,000 ft. above the sea. It is valued for its stimulating narcotic properties, which it is said to possess in a greater degree than opium, to- bacco, or any other vegetable production. The leaves are gathered and dried in the sun, and are chewed mixed with quicklime, which the Peruvians affirm renders its flavor sensible to the taste. As described by Poppig (Seise in Chile, Peru, &c., vol. ii., 1835), the practice of chewing the leaf is attended with the most per- nicious consequences, producing an intoxication like that of opium. As the indulgence is re- peated, the appetite for it increases, and the power of resistance diminishes, until at last death relieves the miserable victim. He de- scribes the aroma exhaled from heaps of freshly dried leaves as so powerful in its effects, that persons unused to its properties suffer from se- vere headaches if they fall asleep near them. Prescott speaks of the coca as an article of so invigorating a nature that " with a small sup- ply of it in his pouch, and a handful of roasted maize, the Peruvian Indian of our timeperforma his wearisome journeys, day after day, without fatigue, or at least without complaint." Under the incas it is said to have been exclusively re- served for the noble orders. The statement of Mr. Whittall, R. N., made public by Dr. Thomson, in his ' 4 Cyclopaedia of Chemistry," confirms the account of its giving wonderful powers of endurance, the Indians under its- influence working 20 and 80 hours together without sleep. They travel on foot from La Paz to Sucre, 70 leagues, in three days, con- suming little food, but chewing constantly the coca, carrying it in a small bag over their shoul- der, together with a bottle of quicklime. The miners of this country, mostly Indians, are furnished with provisions by their employers, everything, excepting coca, in limited quantity ; of this they are supplied with all they want. Some consume of it a pound a week, worth 6 reals (75 cents), or, if cultivated by the pro- prietors, about 4 reals. Its infusion has been used as a substitute for tea, enough for half a dozen people being made with four or five leaves. These are first treated before steeping with a little hot water, to draw off the acidity. COCCEJUS, Johannes, a German Hebraist,, whose real name was Cock or Koken, born at Bremen in 1603, died in Leyden, Nov. 4, 1669. At first professor of Hebrew at Bremen, then of Hebrew and theology at Franeker, he finally became professor of theology in Leyden, and wrote voluminous commentaries on the Bible,, and numerous other works. He was the founder of a mystical sect who assumed the name of Cocceians. COCCIi, Carlo, an Italian composer, born in Naples in 1789, died in Milan in 1873. He studied under eminent masters, became pro- fessor of music in Naples, and was connected as composer and director with theatres in Lis- bon, London, and Turin. His productions in- clude over 60 operas, more or less remarkable for exquisite melody. The most popular of them were La festa della musica, Clotilda, La selvaggia, Fayel, and Maria Stuart. He produced his last work in 1846.