Outfit Clothing. 83 



The black-fly views its victim with an eye which shows 

 a thorough knowledge of its business, and selects his 

 tender points with the very nicest discrimination. Be- 

 hind the ears, upon the eyelids, and on the forehead are 

 its favorite feeding-grounds, and for the possession of 

 these it will do and dare anything. 



The little fellow is more miscellaneous in its views, 

 but it is by no means the more lovable on that account. 



Both bear down on their prey in numbers like the 

 hordes of Ghengis Khan as the sands of the sea-shore in 

 multitude. The slaughter of a few thousand more or less, 

 if a matter of the least moment, is but an occasion for 

 self-congratulation to the survivors in that it gives them 

 a better chance. Let no man in the vicious pride of his 

 youth and strength fancy that he can defy their attack, 

 for they will rout him at last, horse, foot, and artillery, 

 just as surely as they meet him. A thin skirmish-line 

 he may be able to encounter though with discomfort, but 

 a serious attack in force is beyond human endurance. 



It is true different people suffer in different degrees. 

 On some the black-fly will bring blood at every prod; on 

 some each bite raises a swelling like a miniature volcano; 

 others experience an intolerable itching; while others suf- 

 fer all these, or any part of them, combined. 



The bite of the little fellow is more uniform in result. 

 It is followed by a burning itch, which makes one wish 

 he could stretch his skin out on some barn-door, and go 

 for it with a curry-comb. 



Therefore, if the answer to the interrogatories set forth 

 in Chapter I. discloses that these pests are to be met 

 with, though neither abundant nor very troublesome, 

 prepare for the very worst. You may be sure their prev- 



