HARVEST-BUGS. 83 
ly in the flesh, thereby causing a red swelling with a pale 
pustulous center, containing watery matter. If, in scratch- 
ing, one is fortunate enough to remove the mite before it 
enters, the part soon heals. But otherwise the irritation 
lasts for two, three, or four days, the pustulous centre reap- 
pearing as often as it is broken. 
‘“The animal itself,on account of its minute size, isseldom 
seen, and the uninitiated, when first troubled with it, are 
often alarmed at the symptoms, and at a loss to account for 
them. Fortunately, these little plagues never attach them- 
selves to persons in such immense numbers as do sometimes 
young or so-called ‘‘seed’’ ticks; but I have known cases 
where, what with irritation and consequent scratching, the 
flesh has the appearance of being covered with ulcers; and 
in some localities where these pests most abound sulphur is 
often sprinkled in foot-gear, as a protection during ‘‘jigger”’ 
season. 
‘‘REMEDIES.—‘‘Sulphur ointment is the best remedy against 
the effects of either of these mites, though, when that can 
not be obtained, saleratus-water or salt water will probably 
allay the irritation. Whether anything better than sulphur 
can be used as a preventive I have no real knowledge, 
and shall be glad to learn from those who have had experi- 
ence. Any oily substance will act as a preventive, and,while 
kerosene is too offensive, sweet-oil might be tried. I would 
also recommend for trial alum-water, made by dissolving 
the alum in hot water, at the rate of an ounce or two to the 
quart. 
“The normal food of these mites must, apparently, con- 
sist of the juices of plants, and the love of blood proves 
ruinous to those individuals which get a chance to indulge 
it. For, unlike the true chigoe, the female of which deposits 
eggs in the wound she makes, these harvest-mites have no 
object of the kind, and when not killed at the hands of those 
they torment they soon die victims to their sanguinary 
appetite.”’ 
THE HARVEST-BUG OF EUROPE. 
“( Leptus autumnalis, or Tetranychus autumnalis Shaw). 
This miteis very similar to ourspecies. Itissometimes so nu- 
