152 INSECTS. 



What did these ticks generally live on ? These 

 barren, rocky islets, as I have said, produced nothing 

 in the way of animal life. Perhaps some diminu- 

 tive species of insect may have afforded them an 

 existence ; but from their thirst for blood, and their 

 wonderful capacity of stowing such a quantity, it 

 appeared as if this alone was their proper food. 

 There is a fly so like our common house species that 

 I never could detect any difference except in their 

 proboscis ; it is a perfect little pest when fishing, or on 

 a showery day. The house-fly's proboscis is soft, and 

 has a broad or flanging end. The Stomoxys calcitrans 

 — which is the name this little enemy to one's com- 

 fort rejoices in — has a hard, sharp-pointed proboscis, 

 which pierces thick knickerbocker stockings with 

 perfect ease, and inflicts a sharp sting on your leg into 

 the bargain. I have often taken to the water, and 

 stood up to my knees in that defensive armour to get 

 rid of their pertinacious attacks. On a wet day they 

 are particularly active, and from being unable to 

 observe any difference between them and the harm- 

 less house-fly, one is obliged to wage a constant war 

 against the innocent as well as against the wicked. 



Wandering one afternoon through the fir woods, I 

 came upon a large spider just commencing her web. I 

 don't think I ever watched anything with greater 



