3O THE INSECT WORLD. 



A most remarkable trait, and unique among insects, has' been 

 observed in the flea. The mother disgorges into the mouths of the 

 lame the blood with which she is filled. 



The flea is most abundant in Europe and the North of Africa. 

 Certain circumstances particularly favour its multiplication; being most 

 abundant in dirty houses, in barracks, and in camps; in deserted build- 

 ings, in ruins, and in places frequented by people of uncleanly habits. 



Other kinds of fleas live on animals, as, for example, the cat flea, 

 the dog flea, and those of the pigeon and poultry. 



We shall say a few words about a peculiar species which abounds 

 in all the hot parts of America, but principally in the Brazils and 

 the neighbouring countries. This formidable species is the Chigo 

 (Pulex penctrans}. 



The chigo, called also the tick, is smaller than the common flea. 

 It is flat, brown with a white spot on the back, and is armed with a 

 strong pointed stiff beak, provided with three lancets. It is with 

 this instrument that the female attacks man with the intention of 

 lodging in his skin and bringing forth her young there. 



The chigo attacks chiefly the feet. It slips in between the flesh 

 and the nails, or gets under the skin of the heel. Notwithstanding 

 the length of the animal's beak, introducing itself beneath the skin 

 does not at first cause any pain ; but after a few days one is made 

 aware of its presence by an itching, which, though at first slight, 

 gradually increases, and ends by becoming unbearable. 



The chigo, when under the skin, betrays itself by a bump outside. 

 Its body has now become as large as a pea ; in the attacked skin a 

 large brown bag containing matter is formed. In this bag are col- 

 lected the eggs, which issue from an orifice in the posterior extremity, 

 and are not hatched in the wound itself, as was long thought to be 

 the case. 



The chigoes are an object of terror to the Brazilian negroes. 

 These formidable parasites sometimes attack the whole of the foot, 

 which they devour, and thus bring on mortification ; many negroes 

 losing the bones of some of their toes by the ravages of these 

 dangerous creatures. To guard against their attacks, they wear thick 

 shoes, and examine their feet carefully every day. The plan usually 

 followed in the Brazils to prevent the chigoes from injuring the feet, 

 is to employ children, who, by their sharpness of sight, can easily 

 perceive the red spot on the skin where the chigo has entered. 

 These children are in the habit of extracting the insect from the 

 wound by means of a needle. But this is not without risk ; as, if 

 any portion of the insect remains in the wound, a dangerous 



