Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, Volume 1 — John Shaqi
Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, Volume 1Drury, Dru
Science
Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, Volume 1
Drury, Dru
Insects -- Pictorial works
Nor are they to be considered in that contemptible light in which the
generality of mankind are apt to place them. We are too prone to think
every thing noxious and unnecessary, if we are not fully acquainted with
its use. "The poor Beetle that we tread on," serves to fill up an order of
beings, as useful and proper in the economy of nature, as that of a
partridge or a hare, whose preservation and increase we are so solicitous
for. Many others, whose very sight create the most disagreeable sensations,
are not less useful and proper, under the same predicament. The carcases of
dead animals, which, when putrid, send forth a most nauseous stench, would
remain so for a great length of time, were it not for the various kinds of
Flesh Flies, who, by depositing their eggs there, help to consume it very
quickly, and prevent a continuance so offensive to our nostrils and health.
Many kinds of insects are to be found here in England, in great plenty,
who, it is highly probable, by a close enquiry into their natures might be
rendered very serviceable to us, either mediately or immediately. The blue
Dung Beetle (Scarabæus Stercorarius of Linnæus) found in great plenty in
July, under horse-dung and cow-dung, it is not unlikely may yield effects,
either in medicine or dyeing, that at present we are ignorant of. It is
certain, it abounds with salts that are strong and pungent; but the
examination of them must be left to time, and the enquiry of some ingenious
person.
The Meloe Proscarebeus of Linnæus, or English Oil Beetle, described by
Moffat, lib. i. cap. 23., also by Godartius in Lister's translation, number
120. yields an oil by expression in considerable quantity, which is used in
Sweden, with the greatest success, in the cure of the rheumatism, by
bathing the afflicted part. Of this I have been well assured by an
ingenious physician who resided there. Might not the same effects be
expected from it here as there? Its virtues, I imagine, are not confined to
a single country; nor can I suppose the different situations of them will
prevent its being equally efficacious here as in Sweden. However, it is
certainly worth while to make the experiment.[10]
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