The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-23
CURIOSITIES OF DIET.
Strange Things That Serve Man for Food
I'm Many Lands.

Mans ~gastronomio predictions do not
cease at best and bird and fish; the reptile
and insect world contribute their quota 70
his heterogeneous table, says Chdmbers's
Journal
The turtle is the cornerstone Of even an
aldermanio banquet, and il is not surprising
that the land tortoise is used as food where
ever he is found. Lizards Of all sorts and
sizes are eaten in Asia, Africa, America
and Australia, n what is the crocodile or
alligator but a lizard of a larger growth?
In Egypt and along the great rivers y
other parts Of Africa, South America and
southern Asia the ungainly reptile Is de-
voured with relish. Europeans do not take
kindly to it as an article of diet, although
they try IL out OF curiosity.
One would think the line might well be
drawn'at makes. But because of that evil
reputation gained just after the dawn ot
the creation the reptile cannot be allowed
TO shirk his obligations. The C%hinaman
utillzes snakes FOR s~ustenance and for medl-
cine, and he il kept in countenance by the
Indians OF America, the egroe Of Africa
the Malaysians and the Japanese. Coming
nearer home, the Italians favor a dish *
viper Jelly, and the late Frank BuCkland,
whose geological enthusiasm knew no
bounds, assured us that boaconstrictor
tasted like veal.
Frogs are eaten from East 10 West, from
China 70 the United States. Tn French
were the first TO serve the frog up at table,
but the Yankees run them a close second.
Who knows but hat some day the British
will further cement the entente cordiale by
adoptin g the Gallo taste for the hopping
amDhibian?
Snails. Shiny and repulsive, are looked
upon with loathing by the average Briton;
But in France. Switzerland. the south ~
Europe and the United States any sentl-
mental repugnance ia not allowed 70 weigh
against the undoubted nutritive qualities
OF the land mollusk. The snails ara COL
leCted by W omen and children and are
then placed in enclosures TO feed upon
selected vegetable food to impart to them
the requisite favor.
John the Baptist lived on locusts and
wild honey. and innumerable people regnlo
themselves on the same food to-day. Afr-
can races are the chief eaters OF locusts. "A
diet that shortens the span Of rte 10 two
score years. When famine stalks the land
the Arab grinds to powder the dried in
sects he has stored. and with -four bake
it into bread. Honey ia in cosmopolital
favor, but the Cingalese eat bees 10 adj
fragrance TO the breath.
' In Brazil, the East Indies, Mexico al.
among the Indians Of North America ant
are largely consumed. az are the larger ter
mites Of Africa. and naturally the Chimes
will not miss their turn with the insect.
There Is no accounting for tastes ana
consequently one IL content with haIi.N
stating that in New Caledonia particularly
large spiders. and in Brazil eighteen Iu'n
long centipedes, are greatly enjoyed.
When the cook inadvertently sends NJ .
boiled caterpillar with the vegetable Jnln
Bull says things "Of sorts" Let him take
heart Of grace. for caterpillars. large and
small are eagerly eaten in many reglon7,
| ~ araAilkworms IN Madagascar andCeyIOh'