The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World of Harry Potter (32 page)

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Scarab beetles:
Used mashed-up or powdered, scarab beetles were considered sacred in ancient Egypt, where the beetles’ form was used on amulets. Also called a dung beetle because of what it feeds on. See the “Wit-Sharpening Potion” section later in this chapter for more on scarab beetles and the Egyptians.

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Powdered horn of bicorn:
The bicorn is a fabled beast, the gender equivalent of a chichevache: legend had long held that the chichevache feeds exclusively on “good women” and is, therefore, thin and meager-looking, because its food source is so scarce. (You see where this is going?) The bicorn, on the other hand, feeds only on “good and enduring husbands,” and is, therefore, nice and plump from all its available food source! Hmmm.

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Shredded boomslang skin:
A boomslang is a large, highly poisonous African snake that’s also called the tree snake. Its shredded skin is used in Polyjuice Potion.

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Caterpillar:
Caterpillars (the larval stage of butterflies and moths) are not generally seen as magical creatures; however, Rowling’s mention of caterpillars in potions may be a nod to Lewis Carroll’s giant caterpillar in
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Caterpillars do end up in the Shrinking Solution (discussed later in this chapter) , which also calls Alice to mind.

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Cockroach:
I say, “good riddance.” Who could have a problem losing a few of the world’s cockroaches to a bubbling cauldron? On the other hand, keep in mind that potions often have to be ingested to work their magic, so maybe cockroaches aren’t so tenable.

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Crocodile heart:
In the Old Testament, a crocodile is seen in the same vein as a serpent (or snake), so think of a crocodile like a snake, which is a highly prized magical creature.

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Lacewing flies:
Also called lacewings, this beneficial insect has gauzy wings and voraciously eats aphids for dinner. Also called golden-eye flies and stink flies because of their odor.

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Leeches and leech juice:
A leech is a worm that sucks on flesh and blood; leeches have a long (if dubious) medicinal history, so their inclusion in potions is to be expected.

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Porcupine quills:
Native Americans, especially the Lakota, have long used porcupine quills in decoration and consider the porcupine to have magical qualities.

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Puffer-fish eyes:
The puffer-fish (also spelled pufferfish and puffer fish) is also called blowfish and bubblefish, because it can blow up its body—and, thus, appear much larger—when threatened. Puffer-fish eyes are known in the Muggle world to be highly toxic.

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Rat spleen and pickled rats’ brains:
Rats are an important animal in the wizarding world because they are often kept as pets. It is, then, a bit surprising that rat parts are used in potions!

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Salamander blood:
Salamanders have a long association with dragons (given that they look like tiny dragons themselves). Salamander blood is used in a Strengthening Solution. Shelled salamander eggs can also be used to feed magical creatures.