The Discomforts from Insects in Midsummer. 291 



midsummer is the constant and serious annoyance' by night 

 and day from insects. Nowhere are mosquitoes more abun- 

 dant and bloodthirsty than in the forest tracts ; indeed they 

 fairly outstrip their Old World confreres in this respect ; as if 

 their shortened tenure of life required them to make greater 

 efforts ; and possibly it is so ; but annoyed as I have been by 

 them in the plains, jungles, and fens of India and Cashmere, 

 I have never seen the mosquito introduce its proboscis and 

 draw blood with the rapidity of the denizens of the wilderness 

 of Canada. The black fly, however, disappears with the forest, 

 and has no doubt been entirely exterminated in many parts 

 of Canada and the United States ; but the others delight as 

 much in the open as in the forest : swarming in myriads on 

 head and hands, they fearlessly adhere to the skin, and will 

 suffer death sooner than give up their hold, thus making the 

 woodman's life anything but pleasant; and there is no escape 

 short of remedies perhaps more uncomfortable than the evils 

 themselves. Nets, veils, and so-called 'insect-killers' sig- 

 nally fail. Pennyroyal and camphor are effective, but require 

 to be constantly applied. The lumber man covers his body 

 with pork fat until he is encased in lard — a sort of enamelling 

 process which seems to occupy several days. They drive the 

 old hunter distracted, and I have seen an experienced fisher- 

 man so pestered as to throw down his rod and decamp ; while 

 bears, moose, etc., betake themselves to the lakes." 



" Salmon commence to run early this month. (25///.) Wild 

 strawberries and blueberries abundant. (30th.) The crow 

 blackbird and purple swallow are practising their broods pre- 

 paratory to returning south." 



"August -i$tk. — The swallows and crow blackbirds have 

 gone. Snow finches drawing near to houses, and in large 

 numbers. All the insect vermin have suddenly ceased their 

 torments. The nights are cold. House-fly a perfect pest in- 

 doors. Salmon smalt common in rivers last year's fry on 

 their way to the sea. The white fish is about in the rivers ; 



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