AN ANNOYING INSECT. 241 



from the edge of the wall-like cliff adjoining, and 

 another little stream brawling down its narrow 

 ravine, and hiding itself in a tortnons green line of 

 bushes as it traversed the plain. The banks of this 

 stream, however, were too soft and marshy, to 

 tempt us to seek our retreat from the sun, among 

 the bowers formed by its overhanging shrubs. 

 My fortalice of boxes w T as therefore erected amidst 

 the stores and piles of salt, which, connected by 

 far-spreading camel saddles, and covered with 

 mats, gave to the camp the character of a large 

 caravansary. At this place I became acquainted, 

 very disagreeably, with one of the most noisome of 

 vermin, and which afterwards I found abounded in 

 the neighbourhood of Kafilah stations. It was a 

 round flat tic, the size of a split pea, and of a dark 

 red colour. It attacked indiscriminately men and 

 beasts. No sooner was the mat laid down, and I 

 had composed myself for rest, than from all 

 quarters I saw these dirty-looking squat-made 

 insects crawling towards me, converging, as it 

 were from the circumference of everywhere, to an 

 unfortunate centre. They most assuredly smelt 

 blood, and that at immense distances. For this 

 purpose, I suppose, as also for their feeding 

 apparatus, they were furnished with long pipe- 

 like snouts, some lines in length, with which, after 

 making a lodgment upon the body, they made 

 their attack. Six short legs carried the body along 

 at an extraordinary pace, when aware of the 



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