Silk and silk producers

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.