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Abstract

The employment of insects for the special purposes of mankind
may be placed under three principal heads, viz. , Medicine, Food, and
Clothing. With regard to the two first, one may almost write, as
did old Herrebow, the author of a Natural History of Iceland, the
72nd chapter of whose work runs thus—"Concerning snakes.
There are no snakes in Iceland." For it is quite astounding when
we consider their number (not less than 150,000 species and the varied properties they possess—how few insects are pressed into man's service either for curative or culinary purposes. In the
present day, Hygeia entrusts her reputation and the safety of invalids
almost entirely to vegetable and mineral substances; while,
as for the cookery book, we may search in vain for the name of an insect among the myriad of delicacies, which pamper modern appetities.
But, if Science is reserved in the employment of insects in the
pharmacopoeia, ignorance and credulity have given full flight to
their fancy.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Spicer, William Webb
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers & Proceedings and Report of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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