The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-15
INSECT TORRENTS OF BRAZIL.
Creeping Pests which Lodge Cader the
skin and Must Be Cut Out.

Skin and Must Bio Cut Out.
Insects in all countries often possess an
extensive power OF annoyance greatly in
contrast with their diminutive size. They
appear 70 combine the maximum If
very scientific fashion. Brazil is specially
favored with parasitic torments, and
even if those who are to the manner
born become case hardened, the traveller
from chimes where insect life is less OF
fensive in its attacks can never be wholly
reconciled 20 his lot. Even the most
generous Of Christians harbors revenge
full spirit against his bloodthirsty but
minute assailants, which are at once
puny and powerful.
Take the bush tick, for example or
this diminutive monster there are three
species, Of which the largest is about
three-quarters Of an inch in diameter
We are told that this insect was known
10 the ancients, but it is very unlikely
that they enjoyed it, acquaintance.
There are three varieties. lxodes ricinus,
lxOdes plumbeus and Ixodes re;culatus.
The Latin name was derived from Its
supposed resemblance 10 the ripe bean of
the Palma Christi. The Brazilian name
IS carraDato and when examined under
a magnifyIng glass 1t Is seen TO be fur
nished with weapon Of offense IN the
form of trident of teeth, which are
sorrated inward. IL has also three pairs
Of legs. and each leg is provided with
strong hooked claws. Enormous quanti-
ties of the eggs are laid upon the ground,
and the young ones as they creep out
climb up the plants and catch at any
passing animal which brushes past, and
fatten on it.
When Mr II. w. Bates was in the
highlands of Brazil. he had TO devote an
hour at the end Of his daily rambles 10
picking eff the carrapatOs that chung 10
him By their incisiyc fangs The in
Fiction is so dreadful that horses and
cattle sometimes die from the exhaustion
caused by the bites of these creatures,
which settle in swarms. The traveller
soon has he appearance of person SUI
feiing from shingles Sometimes the
attacks bring on ricinian fever, just rs
in Russia people may suffer from pu-
licious fever. The rainy season kills
many Of the cauapatos. and they also
fall prey TO the birds and the ciriema,
in particular. is never shot by the ma
tiyes, because they know the value Of its
services in thinning the ranks of the
mutitudnous blood sucking Ixodes.
Another insect torment OF Brazil is the
iigger, or Pulex irritans Pulex subln-
trans Pulex minimus, pulex Penetran5.
These interesting creatures make their
home chiefly In the human foot, and
hence are known 90 the Brazilians as
bichos do ps foot beasts. Mr.. IL. G.
Dent had five Of these unwelcomo guests
from January to June. and they took up
their abode in the following localities:
The first on the right big toe second on
the right heel. third on the left heel and
two under the sole Of the left foot. lie
had C. cut them out.
Still worse are the verne which attack
indiffercntly cattle and human beings.
With animals they appear 70 raise a
large. hard lump. Sd that they probably
reside in the skin. after the fashion Of
the OK MARBLE Sir Richard Burton says
that stories are current of negroes losing
their lives from the berno The grub Is de-
posted in the nose and other parts of the
body, and if squeezed 10 death instead
Of extracted. it testers and produces
serious consequences. Children three
months old may suffer from a visitation
of the berno Some of the natives. in
the case Of adults, apply burning stick
TO the wound in order to destroy tho
worm. Nercutial ointment is also used.
Nlr. Dents dog was one mass Of sores
from the bernos and bichos de pc and 1t
was pitable to see him, when running
about, turn round almost every minute
and, with a pitiful whine, bite his wounds
until they were raw. Such are some Of
the pleasures of the insect world OF Bra
I'll. New York Star.