HARVEST-BUGS. 83 



ly in the flesh, thereby causing a red swelHng with a pale 

 pustulous center, containing watery matter. If, in scratch- 

 ing, one is fortunate enough to remove the mite before it 

 enters, the part soon heals. But otherwise the irritation 

 lasts for two, three, or four days, the pustulous centre reap- 

 pearing as often as it is broken. 



"The animal itself, on accotmt of its minute size, is seldom 

 seen, and the uninitiated, when first troubled with it, are 

 often alarmed at the symptoms, and at a loss to account for 

 them. Fortunately, these little plagues never attach them- 

 selves to persons in such immense numbers as do sometimes 

 young or so-called "seed" ticks; but I have known cases 

 where, what with irritation and consec[uent scratching, the 

 flesh has the appearance of being covered with ulcers ; and 

 in some localities where these pests most abound sulphur is 

 often sprinkled in foot-gear, as a protection during "jigger" 

 season. 



"Remedies. — "Sulphur ointment is the best remedy against 

 the effects of either of these mites, though, when that can 

 not be obtained, saleratus-water or salt water w^ill probably 

 allay the irritation. Whether anything better than sulphur 

 can be used as a preventive I have no real knowledge, 

 and shall be clad to learn from those who have had experi- 

 ence. Any oily substance will act as a preventive, and, while 

 kerosene is too offensive, sweet-oil might be tried. I would 

 also recommend for trial alum-water, made by dissolving 

 the alum in hot water, at the rate of an ounce or two to the 

 quart. 



"The normal food of these mites must, apparently, con- 

 sist of the juices of plants, and the love of blood proves 

 ruinous to those individuals which get a chance to indulge 

 it. For, unlike the true chigoe, the female of which deposits 

 eggs in the wound she makes, these harvest-mites have no 

 object of the kind, and when not killed at the hands of those 

 they torment they soon die victims to their sanguinary 

 appetite." 



THE HARVEST-BUG OF EUROPE. 

 ''\Le}jtus autumnal is, or TetranycJtus autiminalis Shaw). 



This mite is very similar to our species. It is sometimes so nu- 



