Packard.] 



EDIBLE IXSECTS. 



125 



smoking them. The bodies of these butterflies abound in 

 an oil witli the taste of nuts ; and when first eaten produce 

 violent vomitings, and other debilitating effects ; but these 

 go off after a few days and the natives then thrive and 

 fatten exceedingly on this diet, for which they nc. 88. 

 have to contend with a black crow, which is also 

 attracted by the Bugongs in groat numbers, and 

 which they despatch with their clubs, and use as 

 food" (Kirby). 



Among beetles the grubs of the gigantic palm 

 weevil are roasted and eaten by natives in the 

 tropics, and the larva of the large Prionus (much 

 like the one here figured. Fig. 88) is "eaten at 

 Surinam, in America, and in the West Indies, 

 both by whites and blacks, who empty, wash and 

 roast them, and find them delicious. Mr. Hall 

 informs me, that in Jamaica this grub is called 

 Macauco, and is in request at the principal tables. 

 A similar insect is dressed at Mauritius under 

 the name of 3Ioutac, which the whites as well as 

 negroes eat greedily," and IMr. Kirb}', from whom I have 

 quoted, thinks, with Dr. Darwin, that the grub of the com- 

 mon cockchafer might be added to our entremets. Who will 

 Fig. 89. set the example on this side of the 



Atlantic of eating the common white 

 grub, or young of the May beetle (Fig. 

 89), so destructive to our strawberr}^ 

 beds ? 



The Cicada or harvest fly, to which 

 Anacreon inscribes an ode, was eaten 

 by the Greeks. Aristotle says that the 

 pupoD are most delicious, and after they 

 change to the winged state the males at 

 first have the best flavor, while the females are better on 

 account of the eggs. "Athentieus also and Aristophanes 



29 



Prionus. 



May Beetle, grub. 



