The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-03-20

1
likely that epicures of the past can
have found in it any attractions.
Some naturalists are inclined to re-
gard the grub of the Stag beetle as
the original "Cossus," and certainly
its larva is sufficiently large to make
] a juicy mouthful, while there is no
reason to suppose that it would prove
less appetizing than the yer blanc
On the whole, however, the larva of
the large wood-boring beetle known
as Prionus seems most likely to have
been the Roman dainty. 1t Is found
all over Europe in half-decayed oak
trees, grows to great size, and I'M
questionably possesses culinary posi-
bilities.
| So far as the writer Is aware, the
only butterfly distinguished by sup
plying food to mankind is the Aus
tralian species called by the natives
"Bugong.' Regularly every year this
insect congregates in vast swarms on
the rock slopes of the Bugong Noun
tains, and 1t is said that the natives
light great fires beneath the trees
upon which the butterflies have
settled for the night, thus suffocating
them and bringing them to earth.
When sufficient quantity has been
collected, the fire is cleared away, and
the insects are spread upon the heat
ed ground and raked about until their
legs, wings and feelers are singed off.
The bodies are then pounded into a
pulp in wooden vessel, and after
ward made into cakes.
Among the insects that are eaten
it IS necessary to include the famous
grugru, or palm grub, of the West
Indies. with the allied species found
in Java. These grubs, when roasted
on tiny spits and richly spiced, are
said to surpass all other kinds of ami
NAL food in flavor. This, however,
| appears to be an acquired taste, for
the traveller Leblond, who ate them in
the Isle of Reunion, says that at first
he thought them disgusting, but that
after a little time he grew accus-
toned to them, and found them ex-
cellent.
Many other insects have been, and
are, used as dainties. The ancient
| Greeks were very fond of cicadas,
or harvest fiies-insects of a very
wide geographical range, whose shrill
note is familiar country sound
throughout the Southern States dur
ing the summer season. Cicadas are
also eaten to-day by certain African
tribes. The Greeks also were eaters
of crickets; nor are these insects
neglected at the present day, for the
natives of large portion of South
eastern Africa dig up large subter-
ranean species, and roast it over a
bright fire for food
In China, where almost every kind
OF animal food, whether predisposing
in aspect or the reverse, finds q ready
market, the chrysalids or silkworms
are regarded as a luxury by the lower
classes. They are sold in the streets
after the valuable cocoons of yell
low silk have been removed from
them-and find willing buyers at 1
price equal to about ten cents per
pound. AS to their edible qualities,
nothing can be said, for no civilized =
being has proved bold enough to taste
the dish. The mere fact that the
chrysalids are relished by the Chinese
| goes for nothing, it being impossible
to place any confidence in the national
palate of race which actually raises
the grubs of bluebottle flies in heaps
of putrid fish near the seacoast, and
values the produce more highly than
| the facility of obtaining it would lead
us to believe
1t is related by M. Daguin that
French peasant children are in the
habit of catching wild bees for the
purpose of sqeezing from them the
minute store of honey which each has
collected. This reminds one of the
use made of the Mexican honey ant.
Those who have paid any attention
to the natural history of this remark
able insect will be aware that certain
individuals in it's colonies have the
power of drinking in an enormous
quantity of sweet nectar, until they
become converted into veritable
honey pots. They are used, in fact.
as honey pots, to which the other
ants bring their surplus store OF
sweets. and from which they draw a
supply when they are pressed by
hunger. Now these ants, distended
with sweet juices, are sold by measure
in the Mexican markets.
In conclusion, it may be said that
all civilized races are insect eaters
unconsciously. There is small
beetle, known as the corn weeyil.
which infests grain to an enormous
extent. 1t has been known to damage
hopelessly cargo of wheat worth
$4,000 during the voyage across the
Atlantic; while even the cleanest and
best wheat, after it has been stored
for period, is almost certain to har.
Dor at least few of these pests.
And when this wheat is converted
into -four, the beetles are ground up
with it, and thus become part of our
bread. cakes and CONNECTIONS. Prom
the Scientific American.