INSECTS. 1 5 1 



the act of running, all over one's body. As a rule, these 

 little bloodsuckers appeared content with making an 

 examination. At any rate, I was seldom attacked. 

 Not so, however, with regard to the dogs. They were 

 objects equally attractive — more so, I suppose, for at 

 once these little flat shallow things stuck their combi- 

 nation of forceps and sucker-mouths into the dogs' 

 skins, and soon, from being miserable starved-looking 

 objects, became fine fat creatures, as large as a fair- 

 sized bean. How they managed to swell to the size 

 they did seemed extraordinary. If trodden on when in 

 this state they went off with a report like a small pistol. 

 Although the poor dogs were almost eaten up with these 

 things, they never appeared to suffer from the bite. 

 There was no after-inflammation, swelling, or irritation. 

 In fact, I have no doubt the effect on their system 

 was rather salutary than otherwise. Twice only did 

 these ticks show any taste for myself, but on both 

 occasions I felt the effects of the bite for at least a 

 week. My men were also occasionally bitten, the 

 result invariably being the same as in my own case, 

 irritation and itching for seven or eight days. I con- 

 cluded from this, that although the dog approaches 

 nearer to man than any animal in iatellect — which 

 undoubtedly he does — yet in blood there must be a 

 very considerable difference. 



