138 SOCIAL HABITATIONS. 
The only insect which can be said to be parasitic on 
man, and at the same time to form a habitation, is the 
celebrated CHIGOE, otherwise called the JiaGrr, or Harta 
Fiy. This terrible pest is a native of Southern America 
and the West Indian Islands, and is too well known, 
especially by the negroes and natives. 
This insect, which is closely allied to the common flea, 
and much resembles it in general appearance, contrives 
to hide itself under the nails of the fingers or toes, 
usually the latter. Having gained this point of vantage, 
it proceeds very gradually to make its way under the 
skin, and, strange to say, does so without causing any 
pain. There igs a slight irritation, rather pleasing than 
otherwise, to which a novice pays no attention, but which 
puts an experienced person on his guard at once. 
The male Chigoe is innocent of causing any direct 
injury to man, the female being the cause of all the 
mischief. As soon as she is settled, her abdomen begins 
to swell until it becomes quite globular, and of great 
comparative size, and containing a vast quantity of tiny 
eggs. Pain is now felt by the victim, who generally has 
recourse to the skilful old dames, who have a kind of 
monopoly of extracting Chigoe “nests.” With a needle, 
they carefully work round the globular body of the buried 
insect, taking great care not to break it, as, if a single 
egg remains in the wound, all the trouble is wasted. 
By degrees they gently eject the intruder, and exhibit 
the unbroken sac of eggs with great glee. To prevent 
accidents, however, the wound is filled with a little Scotch 
snuff, which certainly causes rather a sharp smarting 
sensation, but effectually destroys any egg or young insect 
that may perchance have escaped notice. 
Europeans and natives of the better caste escape easily 
enough, because they always take warning by the first 
