THE CHIGOE FLEA. 
177 
fragrance are both gone, and the blossom, lately so 
gorgeous, possesses no more of either than may be 
pretended to by a boiled cabbage. 
THE CHIGOE FLEA. 
May 2^th. — About this time the Chigoe or Jigger 
{Pulex penetrans) is numerous and very annoying. 
These parasitic Fleas may be seen hopping about 
among the dust of sheds and similar places, and the 
naked feet of the negroes suffer constantly from their 
attacks. But even the stockings and shoes of Euro- 
peans are not proof against the insidious assaults of 
this tiny flea. On several occasions I have found 
them ensconced in my feet ; to-day I discovered that 
one had chosen the bend of my little toe as the scene 
of its domestic economy. The negroes, from mutual 
practice on each other, are quick at discovering, and 
skilful in extracting them ; and, accordingly, to one 
of my servant lads I entrusted the operation. Tak- 
ing my foot on his knee, he began with a sharp 
needle to open and widen the minute orifice in the 
epidermis, between which and the cutis the swollen 
body of the pregnant female had taken its place. 
Slowly and cautiously the lad exposed the depre- 
dator, giving no pain, and not drawing the least drop 
of blood, until at length he removed the insect un- 
injured. The great danger to be guarded against 
is the rupture of the delicate skin of the Jigger’s 
abdomen, stretched and attenuated as it is by the 
great increase of its contents. If this should occur, 
I 5 
