APHANIPTEEA. 



CHAPTER I. 

 PULICID^E, OR FLEAS. 



The rather long word witli which this chapter is headed is 

 formed from the Grreek, and signifies ' Non-appearing Wings.' 

 This name is given to the insect because the wings are not 

 visible to ordinary observation, being merely represented by 

 fom' very minute scales on the thorax, the upper two of which 

 are the rudiments of the first pair of wings, and the lower 

 of the second pair. Popularly, they are known as Fleas, 

 and are rather more familiar to us than agreeable. 



When placed under the microscope, the Flea really be- 

 comes an interesting insect, with some share of beauty about 

 it. The body is rather narrowed, or ' compressed,' as is the 

 correct term; it is covered with a very hard, shining, horny 

 skin, on which are rows of short and sharp bristles, having 

 their points directed backwards. It is owing to these bristles 

 and the projecting edges of the horny segments, that to hold a 

 Flea in the fingers is so difficult a task. By means of its 

 powerful limbs, the insect forces itself through the fingers a 

 very little at a time ; but, however short may be the progress at 

 each struggle, it is still a step towards freedom, for the bristly 

 rings very effectually prevent it from being forced back into 

 the position from which it had escaped. 



The hind legs are formed for leaping, and it is by their means 

 that the insect takes such prodigious jumps. It can crawl as 

 well as leap, and indeed, does crawl by preference, only 

 jumping when it thinks itself in danger. 



The beak, or rostrum (called a rostrulum by Kirby and 



