or Bonyclabber, Fish bones, Tortoise-Eggs, Crocodiles, Blood of most Animals Periwinckles and Frogs, are eaten in scarcity of other Food.
The Natural Irish, in scarcity of Grain, live on the Leaves of Water Cresses, Chambrock or trifolium pratense purpureum, Dils, Sea Snails, Patellæ, and small Fish the Sea-shores afford on the Ebb. The like do the Scots in the Western Islands, where they feed on the Lactuca Marina, as in the West of England, where 'tis called Leaver. The Scots also feed on the first Leaves of Atriplex Sylvestris folio sinuato angusto candicante, called by them Milds. When I was in the South of France, I was inform'd that the Spanish Troops in their Neighbourhood in Catalonia, in scarcity eat Tallow Candles. At the Siege of London-Derry, the Inhabitants were supported with Tallow. The English Sea Pease have sustained many People in cases of Famine, and the Roots of Astragalus Sylvaticus have serv'd for the same purpose. In a Famine that spread over Germany in 1572. in Suevia and Silesia, Bread was made of Reed-Roots, of those of Rapunculus, iris, &, acorus nostras; at the same time tender Oak Leaves were boil'd in Hassia, and Children were fed with Grass and boil'd Hay. I was told by my good Friend Mr. Cuningham, that in Cochinchina is a small Bird, which makes its Nest of a sort of round-leav'd short Sea-Plant or Fucus, which it dissolves by keeping it in its Crop, and afterwards makes use of in the building its Nest against the Rocks. These Nests are eaten in the East-Indies, where they are in great esteem as well as in Europe. The Crops of wild Pigeons in the beginning of the Spring, contain the young Buds of Trees and Plants, which after Maceration there, is reckoned one of the most delicate Sallets or Sauces, and so are the Insects contained in the Stomachs and Guts of Woodcocks. The Hottentots eat the small Guts of Cattle and Sheep, with their Contents, after being worn as Bracelets about their Necks, and there in part dried. Mæcenas was not the only person lov'd Asses Flesh, for in the late War some of the Vaudois that made a Descent into Dauphine, esteem'd Asses Foals the best Dish they could get. I once knew one cast away on a Desert Island, who liv'd sometime only on Oisters. Snails of several kinds are eaten with much satisfaction in Italy and France, for which reason the Lord Arundel, lest his native Country should want them, brought from Bourdeaux, to Ashted near Epson in Surry, some live ones to breed, whose Posterity remains there in great plenty. In Silesia, Dr. Krieg has inform'd me, they make places for the breeding of Snails at this day, where they are fed with Turnep Tops, &c. and carefully prepar'd for the Market. The Romans took care of them formerly after the same manner, as may be seen by the following passage.
Varro
