THE SAND-FLEA. 



135 



are so sliglit, both have been united into one species. The 

 habits of both are identical. Human blood is to the taste of 

 both, but is not preferred as bemg better and richer than 

 that of the normal hosts. 



Remedies. — Fresh insect-powder, dusted or blown among 

 the hairs of the infested animals, is an excellent remedy; 

 it should also be dusted upon the places w^here they sleep. 

 As the insect-powder usually bought is very much adulter- 

 ated or too old, it would be best if wc grew in our gardens 

 the plant from which it is made. This is Pyi'dkrum rosexmi, 

 a rather pretty plant, which makes also a nice border for 

 fiower-beds. The flower-heads should be cut off when 

 fully expanded, and have to be dried in the shade. When 

 needed these dry heads should be ground as fine as possi- 

 ble, and excellent results will follow wherever such powder 

 is used in a legitimate w-a^', /'. e. against such insects as can 

 be killed by it. 



THE SAND-FLEA. 



( Sarc(q)xylJa pene'rans L. ) . 

 This is a ilea that is not found in Minnesota, being an in- 

 habitant of Central and South America, where it abounds in 

 and about Indian lodges, wood-cutters' camps, and similar 



Fig. 113.— Scand-flea, female with eggs. Greatly enlarged. After Karsten. 



places free from the rank vegetation found in those countries. 

 This parasite is known by a numberof names, such as jigger, 

 Chigoe, Chique, Biche, or Pique. As it has a somewhat 

 different form from those mentioned before it has been taken 



