32 AN ACCOUNT OF BRITISH FLIES. 



but, according to his descriptions, they are different. Those that 

 we have examined from the pigeon seem to be shghtly different from 

 Hirundinis, being longer and darker and slightly different in the 

 construction of the mouth parts.'" 



P. hirundbiis infests swallows, pigeons, sparrows, and other small 

 birds, especially in their nests. 



The mouth parts have been figured by Curtis as long ago as 

 i836.t 



Piilex sciurorum, Bouche. 



Larger than the common flea, and more elongated and paler in 

 colour. Length, i\ to i|- lin. Head bare; body smooth and 

 shining. Antennae short and light in colour, yellowish. Pro-thorax 

 dark and ribbed ; meso-thorax also bare. Legs devoid of hair and 

 bristles as seen in most fleas. First and fifth joints of fore tarsi 

 longest; the fourth the shortest. In the hind tarsi the first, second, 

 and third, in succession, the fifth being larger than the fourth. 

 Ungues straight and closely fitted together, resembling one claw. 



This species seems to be exclusively parasitic on the common 

 European squirrel {Sciurus vulgaris), and is met with all over 

 Europe. 



Puhx melis, Mk. 



This is a large species, long and hairy. General hue, testaceous. 

 Antennae filiform, long, composed of four joints ; the fourth joint 

 longer than the third; the third smaller than the second ; the second 

 longer than the first. Legs setose. Abdomen hairy ; four bristles 

 near the tip. Joints of tarsus decrease in length from the first to 

 the fourth. Length, i^ to 2 lin. 



This species is parasitic on the badger {Meles iaxus), and is found 

 all over Europe. 



Pulex erinacet, Bouche. 



A large species infesting the hedgehog, with a curious fringe of 



small spines on the hind border of the meso-thorax, appearing like 



black ribs on the meta-thorax (?) 



We have not seen this species ourselves. 



Pulex goniocephalus, Tasch. 

 The " Kaninchenfloh " of the Germans. Described in Taschen- 

 burg's " Insectenkunde." Lifesting the weasel, marten, and rabbit. 



* Described in Walckenaer, " Apteres," vol. iii., p. 375, pi. 48, fig. 7, and in 

 Walker. 



f Curtis's "British Entomology," vol. vii., pi. 417. 



