2
t i b . .
S C A R A B Æ U S M O L O S S U S .
S P E C I F I C C H A R A C T E R .
Without fcutellum. Thorax blunted, armed with two teeth, or horns : imprefled on each fide. Front o f
the head lunated 3 with a horn. Wing-cafes fmooth.
S c a r a b æ u s M o l o s s u s : exfcutellatus thorace retufo bidentato utrinque imprcifo, clypeo lunato unicorni
integro, elytris lævibus. Linn. Syjì. N at. 2. 543. 3.
Fab.Ent. S}jì. \ . p , 5 i . 167.
S. Moloffus and S. Bucephalus are very common in China. The firft feems a local fpecies, the latter is
faid to be found in other parts of the Eaft Indies. 0 /h ie r has given three varieties o f Scarabæus MoloiTus.
The fpecimen figured in the annexed plate is the var. c. o f that author.
Thelarvæ of the larger kinds o f coleopterous in fe rs , abounding in unftuous moifture, are not lefs
efteemed as food among fome modern nations, than they were by the epicures o f antiquity. In Jamaica,
and other iilands in the Weft Indies, the Macokko a larva is an article o f luxurious food; and in China
moft in fe rs in tiiat ftate are appropriated to the fame purpofe. Thus alfo the Romans introduced the
larvæ o f the Lucani ^ and Cerambyes c in their voluptuous repaftsj previoufly feeding them on farinaceous
fubftances to give confiftence to the animal juices.
The learned author of the laft account we have o f China, fays, “ Under the roots o f the canes is found
a large white grub, which being fried in oil is eaten as a dainty by the Chinefe.” Perhaps this is the larva
o f Scarabæus Moloffus, which, like many other o f the Scarabæi,'^ may live fedentary in the ground, and
fubfift on the roots o f plants : the general defcription and abundance o f this infedt in China favours fuch
opinion. The fame author obferves, in another part o f his work, that “ the aurelias o f the filk worm
which is cultivated in China, after the filk is wound off, furniih an article for the table.” This alfo is
a very ancient cuftom among the Afiatics, and even Europeans, before tlie fixteenth century, i f we may
credit Aldrovandus : ® it is certain the worms, i f not tlie aurelias, were adminiftered in medicine ih early
ages.f
» Prionus damicomis. Fab. Ent. — Cerambyx datnicornis. L'wn. Mant.
*> Stag beetles. ® Capricorn, or Goat beetles.
The larvæ of the Scarabæi live in the trunks of decayed trees, in putrid and filthy animal fubftances, or in the earth. The
laft are tire moft injurious, becaufe they deftroy the roots o f plants. All the known kinds of thefe larvæ arc of an unwieldy
form, and whitifh colour, the Ikin free from hairs, and only the head and fore feet defended with a ihelly covering.
e The German foldiers fometimcs fry and eat filk worms. Aldrov.
r Silk worms dried, powdered, and put on thc crown of thc head, help the I'eriigo and cotroul/îons-y mundify or ckanfe the
blood, &C. &C. Schroderm, Seraph, Sfv.