LETTEES FEOM ALABAMA. 
219 
tbe body, especially wliere there is any hollow or 
angle, they thrust into the flesh a horny tubular 
proboscis, the extremity of which is armed with 
reflected barbs, and suck the blood of their victim 
at leisure. The sensation produced by the assaults 
of these minute ones is rather one of itching than 
of pain ; they are too well moored to be removed 
by any rubbing, and too well shielded to be hurt 
by it ; hence they riot in impunity, till, on dis- 
robing at night, the usual search reveals some half- 
score of ruthless rogues battened on gore, and 
swollen to ten times their legitimate bulk. Even 
then it is no easy matter to dislodge them ; for the 
barbs at the tip of the rostrum resist and hold fast 
in the flesh when the insect is pulled, nor do they 
yield without considerable force, and some lace- 
ration. 
I was surprised at the instant readiness with 
which these little parasites leave their watching- 
stations on the herbage, and cleave to passing ani- 
mals. But, last evening, I had an opportunity of 
seeing how this is managed. I noticed a full-grown 
Tick on the extremity of a leaf, to which it held 
on with its hindmost pair of feet, while all the six 
other limbs were held out in the air, and kept 
waving to and fro. On my bringing the tip of my 
finger to it, it adhered instantly with these free 
feet, letting go the leaf at the same moment ; and* 
I infer that this is the approved method of pro- 
ceeding with both young and old. 
. It is pitiable to see the poor brutes, the dogs and 
horses, and cattle. Unable to free themselves from 
their insect pests, which appear instinctively to 
know where they may bleed their victims in secu- 
rity, the poor patient creatures are obliged to 
