At night I experienced an attack (for it
deserves no less a name) of the Benchuca, a species of Reduvius,
the great black bug of the Pampas. It is most disgusting to feel
soft wingless insects, about an inch long, crawling over one's
body. Before sucking they are quite thin, but afterwards they
become round and bloated with blood, and in this state are easily
crushed. One which I caught at Iquique (for they are found in Chile
and Peru) was very empty. When placed on a table, and though
surrounded by people, if a finger was presented, the bold insect
would immediately protrude its sucker, make a charge, and if
allowed, draw blood. No pain was caused by the wound. It was
curious to watch its body during the act of sucking, as in less
than ten minutes it changed from being as flat as a wafer to a
globular form. This one feast, for which the benchuca was indebted
to one of the officers, kept it fat during four whole months; but,
after the first fortnight, it was quite ready to have another suck.
MARCH 27, 1835.
We rode on to Mendoza. The country was beautifully cultivated, and
resembled Chile. This neighbourhood is celebrated for its fruit;
and certainly nothing could appear more flourishing than the
vineyards and the orchards of figs, peaches, and olives.
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