More Beetles 



If we can for once emancipate ourselves 

 from gastronomic prejudices, it is even appe- 

 tizing, resembling as it does a translucent bag 

 filled to bursting-point with fresh butter. At 

 the sight of it, an idea occurs to us : this must 

 be the Cossus, the true Cossus, far superior 

 to the coarse grub of the Capricorn. Why 

 not try the much-vaunted fare? Here is a 

 capital opportunity, which perhaps will never 

 occur again. 



We gather a plentiful crop, therefore, in 

 the first place so that we may study the grub, 

 whose shape proclaims it to be the larva of 

 a Longicorn, or Long-horned Beetle, and in 

 the second place to investigate the culinary 

 problem. We want to know what insect 

 exactly is represented by this larva; we also 

 want to discover the edible value of 

 the Cossus. It is Shrove Tuesday, a propi- 

 tious date for such extravagances of the 

 table. 



I know not with what sauce the Cossus was 

 eaten in the days of the Caesars; no Aepicus l 

 of the period has bequeathed us any informa- 

 tion in this respect. Ortolans are roasted 

 skewered on a spit; to add the seasoning of 



1 Marcus Gabius Apicus, a famous Roman epicure who 

 lived in the days of Augustus and Tiberius. (Translator's 

 Note. 



178 



