114 CLASS ANNULATA. 



would be little difficulty in keeping them off ; but they 

 crowd to the attack, and fasten on more quickly than 

 they can be removed. Their bites are much more trou- 

 blesome than would be imagined, being very apt to fes- 

 ter and become sores, and, in persons of a bad habit of 

 body, to degenerate into extensive ulcers, and ultimately 

 cause the loss of a limb, if not that of life itself. 



Many plans have, of course, been resorted to, to avoid 

 this pest, such as anointing the legs with tobacco-water, 

 grease, &c., but all to very little purpose, the only suc- 

 cessful mode appearing to be, the enclosing the lower 

 part of the legs in boots and pantaloons, fitting very 

 closely to the limb, a very unpleasant dress in so sultry 

 a climate. 



