EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 337 



diaii corn. I ought not to forget their extreme induftry CHAP, 

 in repairing their habitation when injured, and their . _ _ , 

 wonderful power of propagation, which (let ever fuch 

 numbers be deftroyed) brings them in a very fliort time 

 to their former unaccountable multiplicity. 



To another peft we were alfo frequently fubje6led in 

 this camp, and this was no lefs than clouds of flying lice, 

 ' which covered our clothes fometimes fo thick, that they 

 abfolutely gave them the appearance of grey cloth. This 

 was owing to the lliedding of their wings, which, being 

 four in number ; they generally left behind them after 

 they alighted, and being thus without the means of fly- 

 ing off again, they remained on our jackets ; except 

 however thus covering us all over, they caufed us no 

 other inconvenience. It is the opinion of fome natura- 

 lifts, that thefe flying lice are no other than the above- 

 mentioned wood-lice, which when they become old 

 get wings, leave their neits, and fly about, like fome other 

 ants, both in Europe and in America. 



About this time the difcipline was peculiarly fl:ri6i: in 

 the camp, fo that whoever made the very leaft noife 

 was raoft feverely puniilied, nay, threatened to be (hot ; 

 and even the fentinels were ordered to challenge rounds 

 and patrols by no other found than whiflling', which was 

 anfwered in the fame manner. 



On the i8th, one of thefe being condemned to be 

 flogged forfpeaking loud, I however found means (Four- 

 geoud not being yet returned) to get him pardoned, after 



Vol. II. Xx he 



