The Vegetarian Insects 



Some years ago, with a success which de- 

 lighted the observer that I am, I changed 

 the diet of various carnivorous larvae. To 

 those which lived on Weevils I gave Locusts; 

 to those which lived on Locusts I gave Flies. 

 My nurslings unhesitatingly accepted the 

 food unknown to their race and were none 

 the worse for it; but I would not undertake 

 to rear a caterpillar with the first sort of 

 leaves that came to hand: it would starve 

 sooner than touch them. 



Animal matter having undergone a more 

 thorough refinement than vegetable sub- 

 stances, enables the stomach to pass from one 

 dish to another without gradually becoming 

 accustomed to each, whereas vegetable food, 

 being comparatively refractory, calls for an 

 apprenticeship on the part of the consumer. 

 To turn Sheep's flesh into Wolf's flesh is an 

 easy matter : a few minor transmutations are 

 enough; but to make mutton out of grass is 

 a complicated process of digestive chemistry, 

 for which the ruminant's four stomachs are 

 none too many. The carnivorous insect is 

 able to vary its diet, all sorts of game being 

 of equal value. 



Vegetable food involves other conditions. 

 With its starches, oils, essences and spices 

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