170 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



These islands are of coral formation, and the former 

 is a perfect preserve, being abundantly stocked with 

 game. Two gentlemen lease it from the crown, 

 though it formerly belonged to the ancient Codrington 

 family. Its horses are celebrated throughout the is- 

 lands, being descended from imported Arab stock. 



The climate of Antigua is perceptibly warmer than 

 that of the mountainous islands, though a cool breeze 

 freshens a great portion of the day. It is hot in the 

 morning from seven to ten, when a breeze springs up. 

 At noon it is intensely hot, but in the shade the cool 

 sea-breeze makes it bearable. Another oppressive 

 spell is near sunset, before the evening winds set in ; 

 but by eight o'clock the air has cooled, and the nights 

 are endurable. In Jul}' and August, when I was there, 

 there were frequent showers ; rain fell for an hour or 

 two quite unexpectedly, and as quickly ceased. The 

 wind blows nearly always from the east, and when it 

 changes to the west, a hurricane may be expected. 



In Antigua, alone, I suffered from mosquitoes, and 

 was obliged to protect myself by a net. Fleas, also, 

 disturbed my rest at night ; and not the universal flea 

 only, but a cousin of his, which can " discount " the 

 common insect largely. I allude to the "jigger," 

 or chegoc, which, not content, like his relative, with 

 a hop, skip, and a bite, penetrates the skin, and lays 

 its eggs beneath the surface. 



I awoke one morning with an itching of my toes, 

 which frequent rubbing failed to allay ; and examina- 

 tion revealed four white tumors. They were as large 

 as peas, and in the center of each was a little black 

 speck. Ignorant at that time of the existence of such 

 creatures, I called my boy, William, who at once pro- 



