ane es a [Ixxix 
Reduvius, the great black bug of the Pampas. It is most 
disgusting to feel soft wingless insects [Darwin probably 
refers to the immature stages], about an inch long, crawling 
over one’s body. Before sucking they are quite thin, but 
afterwards they become round and bloated with blood, and in 
this state are easily crushed. One which I caught at Iquique 
(for they are found in Chile and Peru,) was very empty. 
When placed on a table, and though surrounded by people, if 
a finger was presented, the bold insect would immediately 
26.§.13 
: J n cuctnersdes 
a ab ww lel o 
Natural size. 
Two specimens of Conorrhinus megistus, Burm., together with the 
labels which accompany them. 
protrude its sucker, make a charge, and, if allowed, draw 
blood. No pain was caused by the wound. It was curious 
to watch its body during the act of sucking, as in less than 
ten minutes it changed from being as flat as a wafer to a 
globular form. This one feast, for which the benchuca was 
indebted to one of the officers, kept it fat during four whole 
months ; but, after the first fortnight, it was quite ready to 
have another suck.” (‘‘ Journal of Researches, etc.” London, 
1876, p. 330.) 
