THE FtTRlA. 5.291 



tumn. At length it was discovered that the pain 

 instantly succeeded something that dropped out of 

 the air, and almost in a moment penetrated and bu- 

 ried itselfin the flesh. On more accurate attention, 

 the Furia was detected as the cause. It is about 

 half an inch in length, and of a carnation colour, 

 often black at the apex. It creeps up the stalks of 

 sedge -grass, and shrubs in the marshes, whence it is 

 often carried off by the wind ; and if the naked parts 

 of the skin of any person happen to be directly in its 

 course it immediately adheres, and buries itself 

 within. The first sensation is said to be like that 

 arising from the prick of a needle, this is succeeded 

 by a violent itching of the part, soon after acute 

 pain, a red spot and gangrene, at last an inflamma- 

 tory fever, accompanied with swoohings. In the 

 course of two days, at the farthest, death follows, un- 

 less the worm be extracted immediately, which is 

 very difficult to be done. The Finlanders say, 

 however, that a poultice of curds, or cheese, will al- 

 lay the pain, and entice the animal out. Perhaps 

 the most effectual method is carefully to dissect be- 

 tween the muscles where it had entered, and thus 

 extract it with the knife. 



Linnaeus, as he was once collecting insects, was 

 stung by the Furia in so dreadful a manner that 

 there was great doubt whether he would recover, 



vol, in. M ra 



