CAMP LIFE. 299 



pleasure, the sportsman's trip would be one long torture. 

 People have been known to be completely disfigured by 

 their bites, and I have had my neck as thoroughly gir- 

 dled as though it had been done with a hot iron. Their 

 bite inflames the blood, and if accompanied with the free 

 use of ardent spirits, may produce unpleasant conse- 

 quences. Let no man through foolhardiness brave their 

 attacks, thinking he can rough it and not give way 

 before such pitiful insects ; as brave and strong men as 

 ever lived have had their pleasure destroyed by these 

 curses of our country, and he will repent his rashness, if 

 not in sack-cloth and ashes, in blood and misery. I 

 have seen a hard-working man so worn out by their 

 attacks as to fall fast asleep standing up leaning against 

 a rock in a hot July sun, that by its excessive warmth 

 had for the moment driven the torments away. He wore 

 a veil, but not being properly arranged, the flies could 

 climb up its folds, and it was little protection. 



One may well ask how is it possible to defend oneself 

 from such irrepressible villains ; nor can it be done per- 

 fectly ; with the best precautions there will be enough 

 to try nerve and temper. Gauntlets of leather drawn 

 above the wrists over the coat sleeve will, though rather 

 warm, effectually protect the hand, and when oppressive, 

 may be cooled by being dipped in water. A veil is the 

 best thing for the face ; a piece of elastic run round the 

 top will enable you to slip it over your straw hat and 

 fasten it above the brim, which will keep it out from the 

 face ; a spring wire or whalebone hoop sewed in a few 

 inches below, will keep it off your nose, and another 

 piece of elastic round the bottom will hold it tight around 



