130 THE HUMAN-FLEA. 



cylindrical, composed of head and thirteen segments, which 

 are provided with long hairs; the pupa is inactive. 



Fleas, which are degraded flies — degraded 133- leading a 

 parasitic life — are not as common in the United States as in 

 other countries; at least the species attacking man is not 

 universally found. Other species, however, are sometimes 

 extremely troublesome, chiefl3nn warm regions with a sandy 

 soil; here few persons are found that do not know from per- 

 sonal experience these active parasites. Portions of the 

 Mississippi Valley, Southern California, and Florida are not 

 favorably celebrated on their account, and chasing the 

 festive flea in these states is said to be a sport not limited by 

 any game law. 



THE HUMAN-FLEA. 



{Pidex irritans Linn.). 



This parasite, perhaps better known than any other one, 

 is a very common insect in the old world, being foimd almost 

 everywhere, and consequenth' an intruder and tormenter 

 that is not readily excluded from houses, no matter how 

 careful and cleanly the inhabitants may be. Here in the 

 United States it is not common. In fact most of the com- 

 plaints made about fleas do not apply to this insect at all, 

 but to fleas that infest dogs, cats, and other animals found in 

 houses. They will attack man, however, without the 

 slightest hesitation, though they do not feel at ease upon 

 this neviT host, being used to move among dense hair; and on 

 this account the\' are alwa^^s restless upon man, move about 

 constantly and so cause great irritation. 



The old statement: "who sleeps with dogs rises w^ith 

 fleas" is wrong, however, as the dog flea is nowhere so 

 happy as upon the dog. The female deposits in the course 

 of her existence, about 800 eggs, which are large, pearl-gray 

 and elongated-oval; from 12 to 20 eggs are laid in the 

 cracks on the floor, in dark corners, or wherever dead or- 

 ganic matter accumulates. As a general rule the female 

 surrounds the ^^^ with some blood, which, though Ary long 

 before the young larval flea hatches, forms part of its food; 

 dead flies, w^hich are found in such localities, are also eaten. 



