If a person happens to tread upon them, they rush up his legs and bite with surprising vigor.

The first time I encountered this by no means contemptible enemy was near Cassange.

My attention being taken up in viewing the distant landscape, I accidentally stepped upon one of their nests.

Not an instant seemed to elapse before a simultaneous attack was made on various unprotected parts, up the trowsers from below, and on my neck and breast above.

The bites of these furies were like sparks of fire, and there was no retreat.