


APTERA. | 33 
beneath the skin does not at first cause any pain. But after a 
few days one is made aware of its presence by an itching, which, 
though at first slight, gradually increases, and ends by becoming 
unbearable. 
The chigo, when under the skin, betrays itself by a bump 
outside. Its body has now become as large as a pea, in the 
attacked skin a large brown bag containing matter is formed. In 
this bag are collected the eggs, which issue from an orifice in 
the posterior extremity, and are not hatched in the wound itself, as 
was long thought to be the case. 
The chigoes are an object of terror to the Brazilian negroes. 
These formidable parasites sometimes attack the whole of the 
foot, which they devour, and thus bring on mortification ; many 
negroes losing the bones of some of their toes by the ravages 
of these. dangerous creatures. To guard against their attacks, 
they wear thick’ shoes, and examine their feet carefully every 
day. The plan usually followed in the Brazils to prevent the 
chigoes from injuring the feet, is to employ children, who, by 
their sharpness of sight, can easily perceive the red spot on the 
skin, where the chigo has entered. These children are in the 
habit of extracting the insect from the wound by means of a 
needle. But this is not without risk; as, if any portion of the 
insect remains in the wound, a dangerous inflammation may ensue. 
For this reason, operators who are renowned for their skill are 
much sought after, flattered, and rewarded by the poor negroes 
of the plantations. 
The Head Louse (Pediculus capitis, Fig. 18) is an insect with 
a flat body, slightly transparent, and of greyish colour, spotted 
with black on the spiracles, soft in the middle, and rather hard 
at the sides. The head, which is oval, is furnished with two 
thread-like antennz, composed of five joints, which are constantly 
in motion while the creature is walking ; it is also furnished with 
two simple, round, black eyes; and, lastly, with a mouth. In the 
front of the head is a short, conical, fleshy nipple. This nipple 
contains a sucker or rostrum, which the animal can put out when 
it likes, and which, when extended, represents a tubular body, 
_ terminating in six little pointed hooks, bent back, and serving 
to retain the instrument in the skin. This organ is surmounted 
D 


