OF SELBORNE. 113 
also somewhat resembles in aspect and make, and 
in the structure of its feet. 
For a long time I have desired my relation to 
look out for these birds in Andalusia, and now he 
writes me word that, for the first time, he saw one 
dead in the market on the 3d of September. 
When the edicnemus flies, it stretches out its legs 
straight behind like a heron. 
LETTER XXXIV. 
Selborne, March 30, 1771. 
Dear Sir,—TueEre is an insect with us, espe- 
cially on chalky districts, which is very troublesome 
and teasing all the latter end of the summer, getting 
into people’s skins, especially those of women and 
children, and raising tumours, which itch intolera. 
bly. This animal (which we call a harvest-bug) is 
very minute, scarce descernible to the naked eye, 
of a bright scarlet colour, and of the genus of acarus. 
They are to be met with in gardens on kidney- 
beans or any legumens, but prevail only in the hot 
months of summer. Warreners, as some have as- 
sured me, are much infested by them on chalky 
downs, where these insects swarm sometimes to so 
infinite a degree as to discolour their nets and give 
them a reddish cast, while the men are so bitten as 
to be thrown into fevers. 
There is a small, long, shining fly in these parts, 
very troublesome to the housewife by getting into 
the chimneys, and laying its eggs in the bacon 
while it is drying. a7 eggs produce maggots, 
2 
