The Washington times., 1894-05-13
An Etching Of Amazonia:
Those InsidiouS Insects

There Is no sod or turf In Brazil; the tall
grass that spreads itself over the few bare
spots which are not shaded by trees is Of
coarse texture that grows in tufts quite like
the prairie varieties that are found through
out the southern states.
The absence OF this grass is at first regretted
by the visitor, but after one has walked over
or through 1t once one is satisfied forever after
to hold his peace.
All flesh is grass, the Bible teaches, but on the
equator it might be reversed to read all grass
is flesh. 1t is no exaggeration to say that
every blade OF this grass contains 1000 OF the
little pestiierous insects known and univer-
sally abhorred as moqueens.
They is an almost invisible red tick which
swarms on the under side OF every blade.
However careful one may be, IL you put a loot
in the grass some Of these insects will GER
tainly get on your body. Not many, perhaps,
but very few Of them go a long way in
adding to the discomforts Of life on the
equator.
From the stockings or shoes or clothing
they find a way to the flesh; perhaps 1t may
be day or two after, but they just as surely
get there as that the equatorial sun Will shine
on the morrow.
Like ticks. they insert their bodies into the
flesh, and on the second or third day the VIC
tim finds himself scratching at what appear
like mosquito bites on his legs. These he
will rub until the irritation increases so tnat
each little spot becomes sore. His limbs may
be covered with these most unpleasant sores.
that may become really dangerous In that
climate
The only remedy is bath of spirits or the
cachasa, which may also be used as pre-
yentive after Il walk. and in this case Is GER
tainly worth pound of cure. 1t is therefore
not necessary to have any signs to keep on
the grass
One of the most beautiful OF the many va
rieties OF leaves which grow wild are those
known as the velvet or plush. which are so
like artificial leaves in soft rich texture that
many ladies to whom l mailed specimens
easily made their friends believe they were
French limitations.
Another is geld leaf, quite small tuft OF
rare old gold-colored leaves that grows spon-
taneously iu the woods. as also the silver leaf.
so called from a resemblance to silver, quite
as striking as that of the gold.
A couple OF lady friends to whom / often
applied for specimens OF leaves and flowers
to send back to my American friends, no
doubt getting tired Of my demands upon them
for the entertainment of American ladies, put
up cruel job on the Americana. OF course,
my soul with the wicked black eyes was at
the bottom OF it, though she cunningly
enough had her mamma invite me to escortiher
ouu lhc NouuS 4duicS " tLc NooGS Oh ooiN'y
morning, where. as they said, l could assist
them in gathering all the leaves l desired.
l was on hand early enough to take coffee
with my prosecutors, who inveigled me into
the forest near by US their escort. We
tramped over the grass, through all sorts Of
rich foliage, gathering basket full OF choice
specimens.
e On returning to their house the ladies e1-
cused themselves, made a temperance in
the parlors in q changed costume, their faces
and hair showing that they had just emerged
from a BATH
spent the day with them, not having any
opportunity OF changing or a bath; in fact, l
have since found out that it was part of their
scheme to so detain me and prevent my
changing, as they had done to clear them
selves from moqueens.
In day or two afterward / was so CON-
pletely covered with the mcqueen stings that
/ couldn't keep still for week. 1t was this
that afforded my tormentors such unbounded
merriment when would suggest gathering
some more leaves and moqueens.
Ore soon learns to keep off the grass in
Amazonia. J. ORION kIRBEY.