XI 
SAN CARLOS 
371 
especially if his flesh was in an unsound state 
from some venereal taint. The irritation excited 
is greatest about the wrists, ankles, and feet, but 
the thinnest stockings are a preservative against 
mosquitoes, while the zancudo pierces through 
the thickest woollen garments, and English sailors 
in Para are accustomed to say that it penetrates 
even jack-boots ! Mosquitoes when numerous get 
into the eyes, nose, and mouth, and thus interfere 
more with any sedentary work than by the pain 
they inflict. 
Along with this insect is another of about the 
same size and with much light green about it, not 
unlike some of our biting forest flies. And there 
may be several other species when they are 
accurately examined. 
There is one very distinct and larger mosquito, 
remarkable for its large red head, hence its name 
in Spanish, Mosquito Colorado, and in Lingoa 
Geral, Pium-piraga. There were a good many of 
this kind at Sao Jeronymo and Sao Gabriel, but 
they are scarce at San Carlos. It sucks an enor- 
mous quantity of blood, hanging on till its abdomen 
is extended to twice or thrice its original size and 
then falling helpless to the ground ; but its puncture 
causes less irritation than that of any of the others. 
All the flies bite from morning till night, relax- 
ing only a little when the sun is very hot, and 
always congregating most in shady spots, as under 
trees and within houses. In complete darkness 
they cease their attacks, hence a respite can always 
be obtained by closing the doors and windows and 
stopping any large chinks. On the Casiquiari the 
people are ;n the habit of putting a sort of mat 
