872 A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 



As Godet was a native of Bermuda, and also a physician, his 

 observations on the " jigger " and its effects are of value. They 

 indicate that it was formerly much more common than it is now, 

 thus confirming the statements of Jones and of Hurdis : 



" Among the Apterous insects we shall notice the jigger (Pulex 

 penetrans). Its beak is of the length of its body ; it introduces itself 

 under the nails of the feet and hands, and the skin of the heel par- 

 ticularly ; other parts of the feet and hands are also attacked by this 

 insect, but not so frequently as the before-mentioned parts. No 

 vigilance can prevent the attacks of the jigger ; even the stockings 

 and shoes of Europeans are not proof against the insidious assaults 

 of this tiny flea ; the very cleanest persons of the highest rank in 

 society are obliged to have their feet examined regularly. The pres- 

 ence of a jigger beneath the skin, during the process of its gradual 

 increase, commonly produces a titillation, rather pleasing than pain- 

 ful ; but as no pain is felt till the sore is produced, the extreme 

 laziness of the lower order of the blacks frequently makes them 

 neglect the precaution of extracting them, till all kinds of dirt get- 

 ting into the wound increases the difficulty of a cure, and sometimes 

 the consequence is lameness for life. 



The blacks, from mutual practice on each other, are quick at dis- 

 covering, and skilful in extracting them. The operator begins with 

 a short needle to open and widen the minute orifice in the cuticle, 

 between which and the cutis vera (true skin), the swollen body of the 

 pregnant female has taken its place; slowly and cautiously the depre- 

 dator is exposed, until at length he removes the insect uninjured, 

 without giving any pain, or drawing the least drop of blood." . . . 

 '•'After the operation, a little grease and the ash of tobacco is 

 rubbed into the empty cavity. There are two species of jigger, the 

 white, and the green or poison jigger, both of which are very numer- 

 ous and annoying." 



Of Scale-insects, p. 203 : " The bark of many of our trees appears 

 often warty, by reason of small, oval or rounded bodies, like a shield 

 or scale, which are fixed to them, and in which no external traces of 

 the insect are to be observed." 



Capture of Gunpowder from Bermuda, p. I/.56, note. 



The following passages contain official references to this event, 

 and the reciprocal action of Congress to relieve the destitution of 

 the people of Bermuda, by sending provisions in return : 



