208 TASTE IN INSECTS. 



evil consequences to fall on those only who feed on honey by 

 usurpation, while the insect concoctors and rightful consumers 

 feed unharmed, the latter, we think, are hardly open to the 

 imputation of an erring taste in the selection of ingredients, 

 wherein, though there may be death to others, there is health 

 to them. A few instances are, however, on record where the 

 Bees are said to have thus fatally drugged their sweet possets 

 even for themselves. 



Again, both Bees and Butterflies are well known to be any- 

 thing but what we call nice in the choice of water the dirty 

 puddle, or even dunghill pool, being, to all appearances, as 

 acceptable to their palates as the sparkling rivulet or pearly 

 dew-drop ; but then, it is said, that Bees only drink from these 

 fountains of impurity in early spring, and, as it is supposed, 

 for the sake of the salts which they contain, and which they 

 imbibe, it is further concluded, for a like purpose to that 

 wherewith we, lovers in general of sweets, are accustomed to 

 take spring-doses of saline and other unpalatable flavours. 



The animal-feeders of the Insect race are no less choice than 

 the livers upon vegetable diet, with respect to the selection of 

 their viands. Foremost among these, if ranked according 

 to the quality of food, are the notorious Biters and Suckers 

 which regale on man ; and who cannot testify on experience, 

 whether as sufferers or exempt, that their discrimination is ex- 

 ceedingly nice as to the flavour of vital fluids ? Some, indeed, 

 of the parasitic tribe which live by the juices of their fellow- 



