168 NATURALIST'S CABIKET. 



Description. 



THE HJRFEST-BUG. 



THE harvest-bug, which is smaller than the 

 common mite, and by its colour but just to be 

 perceived when on the skin, is of a somewhat 

 globular shape, and of a bright red colour, with 

 the abdomen bristly behind. It is very trouble- 

 some in the months of August and September, 

 adhering to the skin by means of two short arms 

 situated above the upper legs, so firmly as not 

 easily to be disengaged. Wherever it fixes it 

 causes a tumour about the size of a pea, or 

 larger, accompanied by a most unpleasant itch- 

 ing. Its tubular snout, by which it takes its food, 

 is generally concealed. 



Harvest-bugs abound in vegetables, and are 

 generally caught from walking in gardens, among 

 long grass, or in corn-fields. There are such im- 

 mense numbers of them, according to Mr. White, 

 on the chalky downs of Hampshire, that the war- 

 reners' nets are frequently discoloured by them: 

 whilst the men are sometimes so bitten as to be 

 thrown into fevers. 



