Plate XXXVIII. fig. 1.

The larva of this beetle is a great fleshy grub, which lives in the stumps of tree. It is eaten by many persons, by whom it is considered a great dainty. The perfect insect is called by the natives the macokko beetle. The following observations, published by Mr. Drury in the introduction to his third volume, will be read with interest from the spirit of practical utility in which they are written.

"The larvÆ or caterpillars, not only of this but of all the beetles that feed on decayed wood, seem to be rich and delicate eating, particularly those of the Curculio palmarum (vid. Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 606. 1.), and in general all those of the Cerambyces. So that every forest in the torrid zone affords a man plenty of very wholesome and hearty nourishment, who has an instrument strong enough to cut in pieces the decayed trees. This knowledge might have saved the lives perhaps of many seamen who have been shipwrecked on desert equinoctial shores, which are generally covered with thick woods. Mr. Smeathman has met with many maritime people, who, by living on a scanty allowance of unripe fruits, crude roots, coarse seeds, nuts, and other trash, after a shipwreck, or in other cases of distress so frequent with people in the African trade, have made themselves exceeding sick, and much increased their hardships, which by means of these caterpillars only, might have been greatly alleviated. The very best kind of vegetable food is but poor nourishment for the labouring Europeans, if not accompanied with animal flesh, or at least with animal or vegetable oils; and such foods as seamen in distress meet with, as above mentioned, have oftentimes very acrimonious qualities, and are dangerous even in small quantities to those who eat them at intervals, either out of mere curiosity or to gratify their appetites; while these kinds of insect foods, abounding with a very rich and delicious oil, are consequently the most wholesome and nutritious which men in the situation above described could possibly procure, requiring no other preparation than roasting in any manner. (See Philosophical Transactions.) To this kind of food may be added that of the termites and locusts in general among the insect tribes, which are not only wholesome to all, but palatable to many. At any rate they are sufficient to support life; and the knowledge of such a resource universally extended, might in many instances be the means of saving the lives of adventurers to distant climes. Besides these means of subsistence, if the botanists could point out a plain and obvious method for men in general to distinguish the noxious roots and herbs from those which are edible, men thrown on any thing but mere rocks and sandbanks would readily find subsistence, the kind hand of nature being extended all over the surface of our globe to every one who will accept the friendly invitation, and use the means she has with such a motherly tenderness offered for our benefit and support.

"Mr. Smeathman has assured me, that in clearing the ground in Africa he has found great quantities of roots of the yam and potatoe kind (Convolvulus Batatas), that grew spontaneously, and which the slaves from distant interior regions knew exceedingly well, and sought for with great avidity. He lived near two years in Africa before he found that the most excellent greens for boiling grew wild in every open glade of the island, and even close to his very door. I mention these things because they are all within the power of men in the most naked, unarmed, and unprepared situation, and require neither fire-arms or other powerful apparatus to obtain them; and shew that in these cases, as well as many others, the study of natural history is of no small importance to mankind, since it may not only promote trade, arts, and sciences, but be conducive to the immediate happiness and safety of men's lives."

PRIONUS (MALLODON) MELANOPUS.

Plate XXXVIII. fig. 2.

Order: Coleoptera. Section: Longicornes. Family: PrionidÆ, Leach.

Genus. Prionus, Geoffroy. Cerambyx p. Linn. Subgenus. Mallodon, Serv.

Prionus (Mallodon) Melanopus. Thorace marginato denticulato, mandibulis porrectis multidentatis, elytris ad apicem mucronatis. (Long. Corp. mandib. inclus. 2 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Cerambyx Melanopus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. II. p. 623. 8. Fabricius Sp. Ins. 1. p. 208. 20. Syst. Eleuth. II. p. 264. 34. Oliv. Ent. iv. 66. p. 18. t. 12. f. 46. Merian Ins. Surinam, t. 24. f. 1.

Cerambyx crenulatus, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: Jamaica (Drury). "In America Meridionali" (Fabr.).