vi] 



CHIGOES AND THEIR ALLIES 



81 



The swollen abdomen of the female chigoe is a 

 strange and a conspicuous object, which is not, how- 

 ever, found occurring to the same extent in all the 

 members of the family. Having burrowed into the 

 flesh of a man, or other mammal, the pregnant female 

 swells and enlarges until she reaches the gigantic 



Fig. 8. Pregnant female of Dermatophilus ccecata, a South 

 American chigoe which burrows into the flesh of the 

 host. The abdomen swells until it surrounds the head 

 and thorax, which are shown in the centre. The 

 natural size is about equal to a small pea. 



proportions of a small pea. Itching and inflammation 

 ensue unless the whole insect be skilfully removed 

 with a needle. To such an extent does the abdo- 

 men swell that the segments and the horny plates 

 are driven asunder and the connecting membrane 



R. F. 6 



