206 BERMUDA. 



We may easily perceive in the caterpillar a faint 

 and imperfect sjmabol of the metamorphosis awaiting 

 our own frail bodies, with the many intermediate 

 degrees of corporeal and spiritual perfection, result- 

 ing in one universal chain of being. 



Among the Apterous insects we shall notice the 

 jigger {Puleso penetrans). Its beak is of the length 

 of its body ; it introduces itself under the nails of the 

 feet and hands, and the skin of the heel particularly ; 

 other parts of the feet and hands are also attacked by 

 this insect, but not so frequently as the before-men- 

 tioned parts. No vigilance can prevent the attacks of 

 the jigger ; even the stockings and shoes of Europeans 

 are not proof against the insidious assaults of this 

 tiny flea; the very cleanest persons of the highest 

 raiik in society are obliged to have their feet examined 

 regularly. The presence of a jigger beneath the 

 skin, during the process of its gradual increase, com- 

 monly produces a titillation, rather pleasing than pain- 

 ful ; but as no pain is felt till the sore is produced, the 

 extreme laziness of the lower order of the blacks fre- 

 quently makes them neglect the precaution of extract- 

 ing them, till all kinds of dirt getting into the wound 

 increases the difficulty of a cure, and sometimes the 

 consequence is lameness for life. 



The blacks, from mutual practice on each other. 



