TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS. 387 



tirely. These Ave might call passive defenses, but there 

 are others more active. 



Here, again, the famous insect-powder comes to the fore, 

 and a few puffs of it sent around the dining-room, with 

 closed doors and windows, about fifteen minutes before sit- 

 ting down to the table, will prove a very powerful w^eapon. 

 Another remedy, that secures at least partial if not entire 

 relief, is to rub spirits of camphor over the face and hands, 

 or sprinkle it about the clothing. 



And just here, while considering this safeguard, it may 

 not be amiss to step outside the house for a moment and 

 go down into the stable. 



Those "dreadful little gnats" are there, too, waltzing 

 wath diabolical glee around your horse's eyes, and all that 

 poor, helpless animal can do in reprisal is to wink at them ; 

 but, strange as it may seem, they do not seem one whit 

 abashed by so mild a reproach. 



But, never mind ! there is a " friend in need " for the 

 poor horse as well as for his master, and it is this relief 

 that we have come to bring him, in the shape of an oint- 

 ment, made of powdered camphor and lard, rubbed lightly 

 around his eyes and forehead and nostrils; or you may tie 

 a little bag filled with broken bits of gum camphor around 

 his neck. Gnats object so strongly to the smell of cam- 

 phor, that they will retire from its neighborhood in disgust 

 — and so will mosquitoes. 



And now let us go back to the house and see what other 

 trials and tribulations there aAvait the timid housekeeper. 

 We use the word " timid" advisedly, because the few trials 

 remaining to be noted are such as would be little heeded 

 by one of strong nerves. 



We are done with the insect family, we have seen quite 

 enough of them, and have happily learned that we are not 

 entirely defenseless against their assaults. 



