142 Rev. F. W. Hope's Observations respecting 



I now proceed with the remaining orders, first having com- 

 bated an objection raised against locusts eaten in India. My sole 

 authority was that of Major Moore, mentioned by Messrs. Kirby 

 and Spence, in their Entomology ; that authority has been ques- 

 tioned. From inquiries made of my friends, Colonel Burke and 

 Major Robinson, officers well acquainted with India, I have since 

 been informed, that it is no unusual custom of the Sepoys to 

 make a locust curry ; both the above individuals have at times 

 tasted them, and describe them as little adapted to an European 

 palate. Another authority is a communication received from my 

 friend E. T. Downes, Esq., I give an extract of the letter sent to 

 me : " Respecting your Entomological inquiry, I do not think 

 that natives of any cast eat any insect save the locust, which they 

 make into a curry. The Kunjars and no caste Hindoos eat the 

 flesh of tlie gosamp, and a lizard called the Sanne, but I have 

 never heard of them eating any insect besides the locust,'' From 

 the same authority I also state, that in 1833, at Allahabad, an 

 immense flight of locusts fell at that station ; they were collected 

 by the natives and eaten as curry when they wanted them : they 

 were collected in earthen vessels, in which they were kept ready 

 for use. 



Lepidoptera. 



1. Larvce of Papilionidce. 



In this order I am able to add little additional matter, except 

 that which may be gathered from the mine of information, the 

 invaluable " Introduction to Entomology." Sparrman mentions, 

 that the caterpillars of some of the Pcqnlionidce are eaten by ihe 

 Bosjemans. Lander also, in the records of Clapperton's last 

 expedition to xVfrica, in speaking of the food of the Yaribeans, 

 mentions EUo, a celebrated fat eunuch, who held some of the 

 highest offices of state under a black majesty. " He came to 

 me," says Lander, " paunch and all, and boasted that he could 

 procure any delicacy he might want, for he had only to hint his 

 wishes, when a bowl of dogs' or asses' flesh, a dish of fried cater- 

 pillars, or a saucepan of ants or locusts was smoking before him 

 in a moment." In another page of the same work it is stated, 

 " As with the ancient Romans, caterpillars are in very high esti- 

 mation among the people of Yariba. — Vide vol. ii. pp. 201,205. 



2. Sphinx Larvce. 



According to Sir George Staunton, the Chinese eat the larvae 

 of a Sphinx ; the species, I believe, still remains unknown. 



