A WILY PARASITE. 



297 



be exercised either on living subjects, affording at once a cover 

 for their eggs and nourishment for their young, or else upon 

 those stranger nests wherein is to be found both shelter and a 

 store of living prey suitable for the same purposes. 



But there are certain other insect parasites (chiefly wingless, 

 and of the order Aptera) which are parasitic entirely for them- 

 selves, perfect insects which infest others, perfect also. Of 

 such are the Acari, or mites, with which all, who have ever 

 noticed the commonest of black beetles, must have sometimes 

 seen them covered, as well as their pretty cousins the gold 

 green chafers of the rose. The humble bee is anpther not 

 unfrequent sufferer from somewhat similar infestation, which is 

 said, moreover, to rob, occasionally, the merry grasshopper of 

 his juices, if not of his enjoyment. These, however, with other 

 parasite tormentors whose visitations extend to bird, and beast, 

 and man, may be looked on more properly as a part of the 

 vermin crew, not now the subject of our notice. 



