68 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
and abandons it. This touch, which some have supposed to be a charm, is the 
puncture of a sting, whose effect must be very prompt, as that insect is of a very 
hardy nature. 
In the trunks of trees is found a large worm with claws, which gnaws the wood : 
it is denominated a Moutouc. Not only the black, but the white inhabitants, con¬ 
sider it as palatable food. Pliny observes, that it was a favourite dish at the first 
tables in Rome, where it was the custom ^o fatten it with flour. Those were 
highly esteemed and preferred, which were found in the trunks of the oak. It was 
called Cossus. 
The kinds of flies which are common with us, are to be found here. The gnat, 
called Moustique , or Maringouin is very troublesome, as in every place which it fre¬ 
quents : its hum is very loud. This gnat is black, spotted with white. Gauze 
curtains,which are called mousticaires, are employed as preservatives against it during 
the night. 
On the banks of rivulets are seen the insects called Demoiselles [ Libellula), which 
are of a fine violet colour, and whose head is like a ruby. This is a carnivorous 
insect, and feeds on butterflies. 
There is a'small beautiful Lizard about four or five inches in length, with very 
lively eyes, which is to be found in the houses. It crawls up the walls,, and even 
along the glass of the windows. It feeds on flies and insects, for which it will lay in 
wait with extreme patience. It lays small round eggs about the size of a pea, which 
are whitq spotted with yellow. Some of them are rendered so familar as to take 
sugar from the hand. They are very innocent, and as they destroy the insects, are 
considered as beneficial domestic associates. There is a kind of them which inhabit 
the woods, and is extremely beautiful ; being of an azure colour inclining to green, 
with crimson streaks on the back, which resemble Arabic characters. 
But a more formidable enemy to the insects is the Spider.—Some of these are as 
large as a nut, with long legs covered with hair. Their webs are so strong, that 
small birds are taken in them. They destroy also wasps, scorpions and centipedes. 
The mild temperature of this climate, so much desired by the inhabitants of Europe, 
is favourable to the propagation of insects which devour fruit. But the fruits of these 
Southern countries are clothed with such thick rinds, hard skins, and aromatic barks, 
as the orange, the lemon, &c. that there are very few kinds in which the fly can 
deposit its worm. Many of these insects also are in a continual state of hostility, as 
