Note 1 — Chapter III · THE CICADA: THE TRANSFORMATION
Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation
“Everything is in everything,” as Jacotot the pedagogue1 used to say. In connection with that remarkably quick metamorphosis a culinary question arises. According to Aristotle, Cicadæ were a highly-appreciated dish among the Greeks. I am not acquainted with the great naturalist’s text: humble villager that I am, my library possesses no such treasure. I happen, however, to have before me a venerable tome which can tell me just what I want to know. I refer to Matthiolus’ Commentaries on Dioscorides.2 As an eminent scholar, who must have known his Aristotle very well, Matthiolus inspires me with complete confidence. Now he says: