of Insects.

ON WASPS.

We believe it is quite difficult to track down every variety of wasp, as some are recorded by the ancients and others by more recent authors. Furthermore, some are considered legitimate, others spurious, some native to our lands, and others exotic—most notably those from the Indies. Now, in addition to those mentioned in the *History of Insects*, there is a certain stinging and piercing type of wasp that the Indians call the *Tetlatocha*. This name is given because every day it digs out the earth and carries it elsewhere to prepare a chamber for itself, though it does not construct honeycombs at all. This wasp is black, leaning toward blue, except for the wings, which are tawny; its antennae are likewise tinged with a yellowish color. It lives primarily in the Tepcoatlamic mountains.

ON BUTTERFLIES.

If we were to investigate the various types of butterflies, we would find them almost innumerable. For some are diurnal, others nocturnal—lovers of light and darkness, respectively. Some are large, some small, and others of moderate size. Some possess only a single color, while others have two or many more. Some are spotted, and others lack spots entirely.

Among these, none are found to be harmful with a sting. However, many of this kind are born in India, where there is also a certain type of butterfly called *Arauers* by the natives; according to the testimony of Jean de Léry, these are the size of a cricket. These creatures approach hearths and warmer places in swarms, just like crickets, and if they find anything edible, they devour it immediately. In fact, they sometimes gnaw on leather garments so thoroughly that they completely consume the surface. Furthermore, if roasted chickens or other foods are carelessly left out at night, they are found in the morning stripped of meat down to the bone. This is the damage that these insects cause to the inhabitants.

ON BEETLES.

These small creatures first appear to differ from one another in color, as some are observed to be black, others green, and others marked with almost any color except white. Some differ in size, others in the sound they make, others in their manner of reproduction, and finally, some in the structure of their heads—for some have a horned head, like stag beetles, while others have no horns at all.

This horned variety is said to have various uses, as was explained in the *History of Insects*. Indeed, they are successfully employed to soothe pains and remarkably relieve nerve contractions, a condition the common people usually call *Grancio*. In fact, for such ailments, these little creatures are enclosed in gold or silver to be worn as amulets. Furthermore, amulets are prepared from the horns of these beasts to ward off the "evil eye" and childhood terrors, although some recommend such a safeguard for all childhood afflictions. Additionally, many people usefully hang these horns to drive away quartan fevers