K^ fMarct, 



edge of abdominal segments. Fii'st segment of midtarsus always 

 shorter than the second. Hiudcoxa with a patch of spines on the inner 

 side. 



A^ Subfamily: Pulicinae. 



Club of antennae asymmetrical, very slightly seginented on lower 

 side, first segment of club lanceolate or spatulate ; first midtarsal segment 

 much shorter than second. In British species frons without tubercle. 



I. Gentjs: XENOPSYLLA Glink. (1907). 



Mesosternite with internal chitinous rod from the insertion of the 

 coxa upwards to the upper margin (fig. 1). Antepygidial bristle placed 

 at some distance from the edge of the segment. Sexual organs of the 

 male without large flap (fig. 12). 



One species in G-reat Bi'itain, introduced. The genus is abundantly 

 represented in Africa, a few species also being known from Asia. One 

 of the African species has been found in South America, and X. cheopis 

 is almost cosmopolitan in warm countries. 



1. Xenopsylla cheopis Boths. (1903). 

 (Figs. 1, 9, 12). 



A small pale species. 



No distinct internal incrassation of the head from the antennal 

 groove upwards (fig. 1). Inner side of the posterior portion of the 

 hindcoxa without any slender bristles. Fifth hindtarsal segment 

 shorter than the second. Hindfemur with a ventral tooth at the widest 

 point. 



(J . Clasper with three small movable processes, of which the 

 outer one is the largest, being sole-sliaped and bearing at and near the 

 upper edge a number of curved bristles (fig. 12). 



? . Dorsal edge of eighth abdominal tergite not projecting above 

 the sensory plate. Receptaculum seminis (fig. 9) with almost globular 

 head, the tail long and strongly curved, being wider at its base than 

 the head. 



A scarce vagrant to the British Islands, introduced by port-rats. 

 Occurs on the black rat {Epimys rattus) and the brown rat (E. nor- 

 ve.gicus). Recorded from Plymouth and London. 



