THE FLEA. 14! 



YUEA.-^PULEX. 



Among the chief singularities observable 

 in the structure of the Flea, may be noticed 

 the extraordinary situation of the first pair 

 of legs, which instead of being placed beneath 

 the thorax, as in most other insects, are 

 situated immediately beneath the head ; the 

 antennae are short, hairy, and consist of five 

 joints ; and at a small distance beneath, 

 there is placed the proboscis, which is strong, 

 sharp-pointed, tubular, and placed between 

 a pair of jointed guards, or sheaths, which 

 are still farther strengthened at the base by 

 a pair of pointed scales ; the eyes are large, 

 round, and black. The general appearance 

 of this animal is too well known to require 

 particular description : it may only be neces- 

 sary to observe, that the male is considerably 

 smaller than the female, Avith the back 

 rather sinking than convex, as it always is 

 in the female insect. Nothing can exceed 

 the curious disposition and polished elegance 

 of the shelly armour with which the animal 



