NATURAL HISTORY PAPER8. 107 



ter of wood for m whip. Two other tieas drew a minia- 

 ture cannon on its carriaire. These and other wonders 

 were performed on polislied glass. The Ilea horses were 

 attached by a gold chain fastened to the thighs of their 

 hind legs, Avhich I was told was never taken otf. They 

 had lived thus for two years and a half, not one having 

 died during this period. To be fed they were placed up- 

 on a mair's arm which thev sncked. When thev were un- 

 willing to go throngh the required performances the man 

 moved a burning coal near when they at once recom- 

 menced their labors." 



But let us return to the natural history of our insect. 

 The female lays from ten to tifteen eggs w^hich are of :ni 

 oval shape, smooth and white. vShe does not festen them 

 to anything but lets them drop wherever she happens to 

 be. If a dog is infested Avith fleas many of their eggs 

 may be found where he lays. There may, upon close in- 

 spection, be found with these eggs little particles of brill- 

 iant black color which is dried blood, that the careful 

 mother has supi)lied for the food of her oft'spring. In 

 from four to eleven davs accordiuir to the Avarmth of the 

 weather, may be seen coming out of these eggs small lar- 

 vae covered with hair, and divided into three parts, the 

 last provided with two small hooks. The head is scaly, 

 having tAvo antenna?, but I am unable to tind any eyes ca'- 

 en Avith a high magnifying i)OAver. They are Avithout 

 limbs yet can tAvist themselves al)out and advance ([uitc 

 rapidly. They are at first AAiiite but afterwards become 

 reddish. Al)out tAA^o Aveeks of this life and they are ap- 

 parently about to die, but in reality Aveave themselves a 

 cocoon from AA'hich the}' emerge in another fortnight per- 

 fect insects. 



One remarkable trait is that the flea seems to know her 

 oAA'u progeny in the lai-A'al state and frecjuently feeds them 

 by discharging blood Avith Avliich she is filled, yet I do 

 not think this feeding necessary for their existence as ma- 

 nv are never fed. The flea seems to have a choice anionii" 



