3f6 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



is duly removed, and then, partly to prevent tlic hatching of any 

 ^gg that may have escaped during the operation, and partly to 

 punish the delinquent for his disobedience, the hollow is filled, 

 not with snuff (which is too valuable a substance to be wasted), 

 but with pounded capsicum. The discipline is certainly severe, 

 but it is necessary. After a child has once paid the penalty of 

 negligence, he seldom chooses to bring such a punishment on 

 himself a second time, and as soon as he feels the first move- 

 ments of a Chigoe, away he goes to have it removed before it 

 can burrow under the skin. 



If the Chigoe be allowed to remain, the results are disastrous*. 

 Swellings make their appearance along the limbs, the glands 

 become affected, and if the cause is permitted to remain undis- 

 turbed, mortification takes place, and the sufferer dies. So the 

 red-pepper discipline, severe as it may be, is an absolute neces- 

 sity with those who are unable to reason rightly, or to exercise 

 forethought for the future. Every evening tlie negro quarter 

 of the villages is rendered inharmonious by the outcries of 

 the children who have neglected to report themselves in proper 

 time, and who in consequence are suffering the penalty of their 

 negligence. 



There are some insects which produce upon animals certain 

 swellings which are analogous to the galls upon trees. Such, for 

 example, is the well-known Breeze Fly {CEsf?'us bovis), which 

 is so troublesome to cattle. The larvae of this insect live under 

 the skin of the animal, and in some manner raise a large swell- 

 ing, that is always filled with a secretion on which they live. In 

 fact, the swelling is a gall produced on an animal instead of a 

 plant, and the enclosed insect feeds in a similar manner upon 

 the abnormal secretion which is induced by the irritation of its 

 presence. 



The larvse are fat, soft, oval-bodied creatures, and are notable 

 for the flattened end of the tail, on which are placed two large 

 spiracles or breathing-holes. 



Although the larva which inhabits the vegetable gall seems to 

 have but small need of air, and to all appearance can exist 

 without any apparent channel of communication with the exter- 



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