OTHER INSECTS. 



53 



and the famous chiguas, of which I have elsewhere 

 spoken, there are the mo?ibondos, a black insect, 

 resembling somewhat the large red and the tioca 

 ant in shape ; the moribondo is supplied with 

 wings, and has a most painful sting in the tail. 

 It forms its nest upon the trunks and branches 

 of trees ; and in clearing lands, the negroes al- 

 ways proceed with much care, that they may 

 not be taken unawares by these insects ; for 

 on a nest being disturbed, they fly out in great 

 numbers ; notwithstanding every precaution, 

 this will occasionally happen ; and I have known 

 a negro to be unable to work for several days 

 after he has been stung by them. The parts 

 which are affected swell and become inflamed, 

 and the sufferer experiences for a day or two 

 the alternate sensations of violent cold and burn- 

 ing heat, similar to the symptoms of aguish 

 disorders. When the negroes discover the nest 

 without disturbing its inhabitants, dried palm- 

 leaves are lighted, and the nest is destroyed by 

 fire , The insects are not often all killed, but 

 those which escape appear to be stupefied by the 

 fire and smoke, and do not leave the nest. I 

 have handled them when they have been in this 

 state, for they become harmless ; however, after 

 a short time, their activity returns. There are 

 three species of moribondo ; the black, of which 

 I have treated ; the white, which are so called, 

 although they are only partially white ; and the 



