234 MODERN SYSTEM. 



Genu? 310. PULEX of authors. 

 Sp. 1. Pul. irrituns. Body brunneous, sometimes inclined to rust co- 

 lour. 



The common bed-flea is found throughout Europe. 



" Notwithstanding the inconveniences attending this httlc 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 which it is capable of exerting is so ex- 

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

 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 cbag 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 being kept in a box with wool, in a warm place, and fed 

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



" The Pit/ices 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. irritaiis," 



Order X. LEPIDOPTERA. 



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

 Class Glossata. Fubr. 



Characters of the Order. 



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

 vided this order into three genera; viz. P(//)«7a) (butterfly). Sphinx 

 (hawk-moth), and Phahcna (moth), which were characterized l)y the 

 form of their antennae ; 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 : antenna 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. Chysalis naked, and gene- 

 rally angidated. 



Fam. I. Papiliomb.e. Leach. 



Pa PI LION IDES. iMtreille. 



Hinder tibiae with heels only at their exlreinitieb : loings all ekvaied 

 when at rest. 



