LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 121 



boiled, and fried. Sometimes they are ground 

 up in hand mills, or pounded between two 

 stones, and then mixed with flour, and made 

 into cakes and baked. They are also salted and 

 smoked, and packed away against a time of 

 scarcity. It is said they taste very much like 

 fish, and are particularly light, delicate, and 

 wholesome food. They are carried into many 

 of the towns of Africa by wagon loads, as we 

 bring poultry to market. 



Harriet. The Africans seem to be particu- 

 larly fond of eating insects ; I confess I do not 

 admire their taste. 



Aunt M. It is well for them that they are 

 willing to eat such things as Providence has 

 placed within their reach ; but I do not know 

 that it is any worse to eat locusts than oysters, 

 we eat them whole, and often raw. 



Anna. Oh, Aunt Mary, I think it is a great 

 deal worse. 



Aunt M. Why so ? 



Anna. Why I don't know exactly, only we 

 know oysters are very good, and 



Aunt M. And we do not know how good 

 locusts are ; we have been accustomed to eat- 

 11* 



