THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 83 



larva skin. Of six pairs which I tried to raise from the eggs in only one 

 case was I successful, not because they are difficult to rear, for I have had 

 very excellent success heretofore, but I was obliged to trust to inexperienced 

 hands for a short time, and they were not properly fed. This pair are now 

 in the cocoon, and I anticipate that tb^y will come out % and 9, presuming 

 this to be the law of their nature from the fact of there being two eggs laid 

 together. I hope for further facts the coming season, and that those who 

 have conveniences for raising larvae will give their attention to the subject. ~ 

 Philip S. Sprague, Boston, Mass. 



Insects as Food. — In this utilitarian age perhaps the most important 

 question in entomology is to find out in what way insects can be employed for 

 the benefit of mankind. A most curious instance has lately come to my 

 knowledge which I think may interest some of your readers. My informant, 

 M. Guerin-Meneville, a well-known sericulturist and economic entomologist, 

 showed me some dark-coloured cakes resembling somewhat brown bread. 

 These cakes are eaten extensively among the poorer classes and natives in the 

 City of Mexico. They are made exclusively with the eggs of two kinds of 

 water-bugs (Corixa femorata and a species of Notonecta). The natives cut 

 quaniities of reeds and other aquatic weeds, and strew them on the borders of 

 the great lake near the city, and they are soon coated with eggs laid by the 

 insects. These eggs, which are about the size of a mustard-seed, are deposit- 

 ed so abundantly as often to cover the plants entirely. The natives '•' harvest" 

 these plants, and after exposing them some time in the sun to dry, scrape off 

 the eggs, and either keep them in that state for future use or pound them at 

 once into meal. The perfect insects themselves are not neglected, for they 

 are caught in great numbers and hawked about the streets as food for cage- 

 birds and poultry, which are very fond of them. It is surprising that the 

 raids which are practised against these insects in two of their states do not 

 apparently diminish their numbers; they, however, multiply to such a degree, 

 that notwithstanding the tribute they have to pay, enough survive to supply 

 the natives with food year after year. M. Guerin-Meneville received samples 

 of the insects, the eggs, " seed," meal, and cakes; but unfortunately the latter 

 accidentally became saturated with spirits of wine in which a snake had been 

 preserved, so that it was impossible to taste them. — E. L. Ragonot. 83 Rue 

 de Buffon, Paris {Science Gossip). 



We hear that the " Ladybirds," which excited so much curiosity last 

 autumn, have reappeared in large numbers in the neighbourhood of New 

 "Wandsworth. So early an appearance will surprise most of us who have been 

 wont to regard these visitors as summer guests.— Nature, March 3, 



