160 MAN'S OMNIVOROUS APPETITE. 



laugh at the Chinaman smacking his lips after a dish of Silk- 

 worm chrysalides ? Shrimp -eaters as we are,, why should we 

 stare at the locust-feeding Ethiop or Arab, and why should he 

 who has supped off roasted crabs despise a New Caledonian 

 for seasoning his breakfast with a relish of roasted Spiders ? 



Instead of thanking our stars for our own discriminating 

 taste, let us, then, rather thank Providence for that omnivorous 

 appetite common to our race. Herein let us recognise a dis- 

 tinguished provision by which our brother man, when located 

 in barren lands, or overtaken by accidental scarcity, is enabled 

 to draw supplies from almost every department of nature. 



We only marvel that Gastronomy (than whom even Necessity 

 herself can scarcely boast a more numerous progeny of inven- 

 tions and resources) should not, in the demand of her votaries 

 for new modes, have been led to seek more frequently for new 

 Hiiifi'riel out of the Insect Kingdom. This, however, may be 

 reserved for some future time. Cockchafers and Chafer grubs 

 may yet become articles for the London spring-market, and 

 Pates de Sauterelles may yet have a place in second courses. 

 The idea is not Utopian, neither is it new ; for Dr. Darwin 

 Ions; aT> recommended the former as a delicate addition to the 



o o 



list of entremets, and the Rev. Mr. Shepherd, who himself 

 dared to venture on the tiling unknown, pronounced the large 

 Green Grasshopper to be excellent. And why not ? Full of 

 sweet vegetable juices, fresh imbibed, and in some cases, as in 

 Aphides, scarcely altered, wherefore should Insects in the shape 



