72 INTRODUCTION. 



recent traveller regarding one of the species, Euplcea 

 humata (Mac Leay), found in the country just re- 

 ferred to, namely, that it is employed as an article 

 of food ! 



He states that there is a certain mountain, called 

 the Bugong Mountain from multitudes of small 

 moths, named Bugong by the natives, which con- 

 gregate at certain times upon the masses of granite 

 which compose it. The months of November, De- 

 cember, and January are quite a season of festivity 

 among these people, who assemble from every quarter 

 to collect these moths. They are stated also to form 

 the principal summer food of those who inhabit to 

 the south of the Snow Mountains. To collect these 

 moths (improperly so called, for as above indicated, 

 they are true butterflies), the natives make smo- 

 thered fires under the rocks on which they congre- 

 gate; and suffocating them with smoke, collect 

 them by bushels, and then bake them by placing 

 them on heated ground. Thus they separate from 

 them the down and the wings; they are then 

 grounded and formed into cakes, resembling lumps 

 of fat, and often smoked, which preserves them for 

 some time. When accustomed to this diet, they 

 thrive and fatten exceedingly upon it*. Millions 

 of these butterflies were likewise observed on the 

 coasts of New Holland, both by Captains Cook and 

 King ; and thus, says Mr. Kirby, has a kind Pro- 

 vidence provided an abundant supply of food for a 



* Benett's Wanderings, &c. i. p. 265. 



