156 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



than with the peculiar habits of the living cantha- 

 rides, is yet very far from having acquired in this 

 respect extensive and satisfactory information. 

 The only species which has been deemed to be 

 endowed with useful properties, has caused a forget- 

 fulness of all the others which compose the entire 

 genus ; and all that we know in general respect- 

 ing these insects, is that in our European climates 

 they live on plants, devour the leaves of certain 

 trees, shun the cold, appear at the commencement 

 of spring, and disappear at the beginning of 

 autumn. * * * It is more than probable 

 that experiments on insects relatively to their 

 utility in medicine and the arts, have been too 

 much neglected in general. Their diminutive 

 size has doubtless caused them to be too much 

 despised. It cannot however be doubted, that 

 there must be a great number of them whose 

 virtues are at least equal to those of the can- 

 tharides, and many others which are less acrid 

 and less caustic might in many cases be taken 

 internally, with less danger and a greater chance 

 of success." 



