only a small opening for the head, which is black, and appears not bigger
in size than a common dot over an i. In the bag it deposits its eggs, which
are very numerous, and resemble gnats : this bag encreases in a few days
to the size o f a pea, when: it bursts, and the young brood begins to form
other bags ; stf that if noLtimely prevented, at length they occasion severe
ulcers; for which reason the black:surgeons, in all well regulated plantations,
inspect the negroes at the end oleyery week, to see whether they
have taken proper care o f themselves agaihst.it. The operation, when properly
done, is not the least painful, and the negro females perform it with
great nicety.
There is another sort óf Chigoe, which by its. insinuation is more painful,
and occasions watery blisters, whereby the hails o f the töesy without proper
treatment, sometimes come off; but the evil may be prevented by a timely
application of a few grains of nitrate o f quicksilver.
Two other troublesome insects are of the bug kind, the Serapat, and the
Pattat, which however only seem to differ in size. The serapat is in thé
form o f an European wood bug, but much smaller. In the rainy season
on walking in the high grass, a considerable number of them will settlc on
every part o f the cloth dress o f a person, from which they will1 penetrate
to the skin, and occasion an intolerable itching; but by washing the affected
places with soap and lemon juice, it is immediately allayed, and leaves not
the least unpleasant sensation.
It is chiefly owing to an unguarded exposure, that the new comers suffer
so much in the Tropics.from the different sorts o f hurtful insects ; but by
knowing how to prevent their attack, or by discovering-efficacious remedies
against their mischief, those who have been long in the colony, or those
who study nature, suffer seldom from them.
London: Printed'by W. Bnhner and Co-
Cleveland-row, St. James’s.