]\)iS(ixous Animals oi- thu; Di'SKrt 375 



these insects while I was excavating their nests, I grew faint and 

 almost unable to stand. The pain appears to extend along the 

 limbs for some distance and to settle in the lymphatics of the groin 

 and axillae." 



There will be mentioned specifically here but one group of 

 wasps, peculiar, hairy, wingless forms, called "Velvet-ants" and 

 "Cow-killers." They are ant-like in appearance chiefly because of 

 their lack of wings, being larger than ants (up to an inch in length) 

 and covered with a thick pile of hairs, whence the term velvet. 

 They are generally conspicuously banded with contrasting colors, 

 oftenest black and some shade of red, sometimes black and yellow, 

 and in a few cases black and white. They are much more abundant 

 in the arid southwest than elsewhere. Their stings are very long 

 and capable of inflicting a painful wound, though not more danger- 

 ous than other wasps or hornets. It is said the term Cow-killers 

 is given them in parts of Texas, where their sting is popularly be- 

 lieved to be dangerous to livestock. This superstition has not yet, 

 been met with in Arizona by the writer, but may exist in some 

 parts. Even these are generally useful in destroying undesirable 



insects. 



The sting of the honey-bee, which usually remains in the 

 wound, should be removed by scraping with a knife blade or finger- 

 nail, not by grasping, the latter method resulting in forcing more 

 poison into the wound. For stings of bees, wasps, and ants, alka- 

 lines such as ammonia or soda are generally recommended, but are 

 of little value and should not be rubbed in if applied. Wet cloths 

 as hot as can be borne will afford relief and "The application of wet 

 clay, or of the end of a freshly cut potato is sometimes helpful." 

 (Riley and Johannsen.) In extreme cases of great susceptibility 

 or many stings, call a physician. 



Several rather large (about an inch long is an average), and 

 conspicuous insects known to entomologists as "assassin-bugs" or 

 "cone-noses" are poisonous, and are known on occasion to attack 

 man. "Assassin-bug" sounds vicious enough surely, but the major- 

 ity, if not all of these assassinate chiefly other insects. Certain 

 kinds, however, may attack human beings to get a meal of blood, 

 while others attack only when carelessly or roughly handled. Even 

 those most likely to attack us are perhaps in houses primarily to 

 catch other insects, one such being descriptively called the "bed- 

 bug-hunter." Some may be attracted to lights, and coming in con- 

 tact with the person on face or hands, will stab quickly and vi- 



