THE CHIGOE. 469 



their colour as they acquire firmness of strength. 

 As soon as they issue from their bag they become 

 perfect fleas, and are able to leap away. 



THE CHIGOE* 



Is a troublesome insect, too well known in many 

 parts of America. It is so small as to be almost im- 

 perceptible. Its legs have not the elasticity of those 

 of fleas ; for, if the Chigoes had as great powers of 

 leaping as fleas, there is not a living creature of 

 the climates where they abound that would not be 

 full of them ; and this lurking race would destroy 

 three fourths of mankind by the evils they would 

 produce. They are always found among the dust, 

 and particularly in filthy places ; they fix themselves 

 on the legs, to the soles of the feet, jand even to the 

 lingers. 



This creature pierces the skin so subtilely that at 

 the time the person is not sensible of it -, nor is it 

 to be perceived till it begins to extend itself. At 

 first, it is not difficult to extract it; but, although 

 it may only have introduced its head, it makes so 

 firm a lodgment that a part of the skin must be 

 sacrificed before it will quit its hold. If it is not 

 soon perceived., the insect completes its lodgment, 

 sucks the blood, and forms a nest of a white thin 

 tunicle, in the shape of a flat pearl. It extends itself 

 in this space in such a manner that its head and 



* Synonyms.— —Pulex penetrans. •£/>».— Jigger, Nigua, and 

 Pique, in various parts of America. 



Hh 2 



