"Although we found the buffalo extremely scarce westward of Spring Valley, yet there was no lack of game; for every nook and glade swarmed with deer and wild turkeys, partridges and grouse. We had also occasion to become acquainted with another species of prairie-tenant whose visits generally produced impressions that were anything but agreeable. I allude to a small black insect generally known to prairie travelers as the 'buffalo-gnat.' It not only attacks the face and hands, but even contrives to insinuate itself under the clothing, upon the breast and arms, and other covered parts. Here it fastens itself and luxuriates, until completely satisfied. Its bite is so poisonous as to give the face, neck, and hands, or any other part of the person upon which its affectionate caresses have been bestowed, the appearance of a pustulated varioloid. The buffalo-gnat is in fact a much more annoying insect than the mosquito, and also much more frequently met with on the prairie streams."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
p. 115.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Commerce_of_the_Prairies
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Commerce of the Prairies
1806 – 1850
Commerce of the Prairies: or, The journal of a Santa Fé trader, 1831–1839 was written by Josiah Gregg (1806–1850), a merchant, explorer, naturalist, and author who described his travels and adventures throughout the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. He is most famous for this book, a classic description of his early travels along the Santa Fe Trail to Santa Fe, then along El Camino Real to Chihuahua, Mexico and further south.
241 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Commerce of the Prairies →
Related Quotes
"The administration of the laws in Northern Mexico constitutes one of the most painful features of her institutions. J…"
"The evil consequences arising from maladministration, of justice in New Mexico are most severely felt by foreigners, …"
"Few men, perhaps, have done more to jeopard the interests of American traders, or to bring the American character its…"
"With a view of oppressing our merchants, Gov. Armijo had, as early as 1839, issued a decree exempting all the natives…"
"The only tribunals of 'justice' in New Mexico are those of the ordinary alcaldes or justices of the peace; and an app…"
"In the administration of justice, there are three distinct and privileged jurisdictions, known as fueros: the eclesiá…"
"Imprisonment is almost the only sort of punishment resorted to in the North. For debt, petit larceny, highway robbery…"
"In case of debt, as before remarked, the delinquent is sent to jail — provided the creditor will not accept his servi…"
"Capital crimes and highway robberies are of comparatively rare occurrence in the North, but in smaller delinquencies,…"
"Prior to the adoption of the Sistema Central in the Mexican republic, the province of New Mexico was under a territor…"