234 MODERN SYSTEM. 



Genus 310. PULEX of authors. 

 Sp. 1. PuL irritans. Body brunneous, sometimes inclined to rust co- 

 lour. 



The common bed-flea is found throughout Europe. 



" Notwithstanding the inconveniences attending this httle insect, 

 there is something pleasing in the appearance of the flea. Its mo- 

 tions are elegant, and all its postures indicate agility. The shell 

 ■with which it is enveloped is in a state of perpetual cleanliness, 

 while the muscular power Avhich it is capable of exerting is so ex- 

 traordinary, as to excite our wonder at so much strength confined 

 and concentrated within so small a space ; this species being able to 

 spring, on the most moderate computation, to the distance of at 

 least two hundred times its own length, and drag a weight eight 

 times heavier than itself. It has sometimes become a favourite with 

 ladies, who have pleased themselves with keeping, taming, and 

 feeding it. A golden chain has been made for it with a lock and 

 key ; and l)eing kept in a box with wool, in a warm place, and fcii 

 daily, it has been known to live for six years. 



" The Pulkes of birds and of mammalia ought to be most care- 

 fully examined. There are a vast number of species which have 

 been confounded with P. irritans." 



Order X. LEPIDOPTERA. 



Order Lepidoptera. Linn., Cuv., Lam.^ Latr., Leach. 



Class Glossata. Fuhr. 



Characters of the Order. 



Wings four, covered with scales: tongue spiral, filiform. Linne di- 

 vided this order into three genera ; viz. Papifiu (butterfly), Sphinx 

 (hawk-moth), and PhuUna (moth), which were characterized by the 

 form of their antenna; ; and these divisions form the three great 

 sections of Latreille, as follow : 



Section I. DIURNA. 



Wings four; all, or at least the superior ones, erect when the insect is 

 at rest: antcmue with their points thicker or capitate ; in a very few 

 somewhat setaceous, with the extreme apex hooked. The insects 

 of this section, which constituted the Linnean genus Papilio, all fly 

 by day. Caterpillars with sixteen feet. Chrysalis naked, and gene- 

 rally angulated. 



Fam. I. Papilionid.?;. Leach. 



Papimonibes. LafrciUe. 



Hinder tibia: with heels only at their extremities : Kings all elevated 

 when at rest. 



