INSECTS EMPLOYED IN MEDICINE OK AS FOOD. 95 



Our readers are probably all acquainted with tlie 

 Meloe proscarabeceus (Fig. 8), or oil-beetle. It 

 derives its name from the 

 fact that, when taken into 

 the hand or otherwise irri- 

 tated, it secretes a fragrant 

 oily fluid, to which have 

 been attributed the most PlG . 8 ._ M eios 

 wonderful qualities; amongst 

 others, that of infallibly curing rheumatism ! This 

 large beetle is easily recognized by its dark violet 

 colour, its elytra, which are oval, and so short that 

 they do not cover more than one-third of the 

 insect's body. Late in the spring, Meloe proscara- 

 beceus is often seen in our fields and on the hedge- 

 banks, drawing its heavy body slowly over the 

 damp grass. To preserve it in insect collections, 

 its body must be stuffed with cotton-wool, otherwise 

 it shrinks to an incredibly small bulk. 



Sobrero and Lavini have recently discovered 

 Cantharadine in insects belonging to this genus 

 Meloe, which is closely allied to the genus Cantha- 

 rides, more so, indeed, than that of Myldbris, men- 

 tioned above. In Spain, these oil-beetles, or Meloe, 

 are still used in lieu of Spanish fly. 



M. Fabre, a very distinguished entomologist, 

 has recently made known some facts relating to 

 Meloe and the allied genera Sitaris, which are so 



