INSECTS IN RELATION TO MAN 415 



Water-boatmen (Corixa) and their eggs are used as food in Mexico, 

 and are said to have a fine flavor. In Australia the Bugong moth 

 occurs in millions in certain localities, and the moth itself was formerly 

 an important article of food with the aborigines (Sharp). The bush- 

 men of Australia find that the clay of termite mounds makes a solid 

 meal; and hill tribes of India eat the termites, which have a flavor like 

 that of almonds. In Africa the migratory locust has been eaten since 

 history began. 



The wise fisherman knows that certain kinds of insects are excellent 

 bait for fishes, especially at certain seasons. The better known of these 

 insects are grub worms, grasshoppers and hellgrammites. 



A few insects have medicinal properties. Coccids of the genus 

 Kermes that live on an oak in the Mediterranean region yield a medic- 

 inal syrup. Another coccid, Llaveia axinus, of Mexico, produces a 

 peculiar substance known as axin. This is used as an external medic- 

 inal application, and is of considerable value as a varnish. (Sharp.) 

 Our native blister beetles and oil beetles possess a blistering or vesicant 

 property, which is due to the presence of cantharidin in their blood. 

 The crushed bodies of a Mediterranean species are still used medically 

 under the name of Spanish fly. In China .medicinal properties are 

 ascribed to many different kinds of insects. 



The use of insects as ornaments must not be forgotten. Beetles 

 with metallic colors or with iridescence, like the diamond beetle of 

 Brazil, are made up into jewelry. A coccid, Margarodes formicarium, 

 of the West Indies, found in the soil, where it lives on roots of plants and 

 is often plowed up, resembles a pearl, and is strung into necklaces, etc. 

 (Comstock.) The cucujo beetles (Pyrophorus) of tropical America 

 are the most brilliantly luminous of insects. They are used for orna- 

 mental display and are said to be serviceable as candles. Their diffused 

 light is pleasing in its quality, and it is reported that "the smallest 

 print may be read by moving one of these insects along the lines. " 



The showy butterflies, moths, and beetles, mounted for purposes of 

 display, are familiar to all. 



In Japan a "fire-box" to hold a charcoal fire is made from a section 

 of a log, placed on end. For this purpose a log is frequently selected 

 on account of its natural ornamentation made by the engraver beetles; 

 or a screen may be made of wood that is carved with tunnels made by 

 termites. 



The unimportant use of insects as playthings need only be alluded 

 to. In the south, children amuse themselves by attaching the green June 



