4.94. MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
conjecture that, like the common flea, it lays its eggs on the ground, 
whilst Dr. Rodschild (Medecinische und Kyrurg. Bemerk. Colon. Esse- 
quibo, &e., Frankf. 1796, 8vo. p. 307.) is of opinion that the larvee are 
developed within the abdomen of the mother, and there pass into the 
pupa state. Some specimens of the insect, presented to me by W. 
Sells, Esq., have enabled me to examine and describe the insect (ina 
memoir read at the Entomological Society), as well as to dissect the 
abdomen, which I found filled with ovaries containing an immense 
number of eggs: hence there is evidently no sufficient space for the 
development of the pupa, as suggested by Rodschild ; whilst the fact, 
that if the nestled chigoe be unmolested, a fearful ulcer is found, 
which frequently extends to the bones, requiring amputation, seems to 
warrant the supposition that the larvee are hatched in the wound, and 
it is by ¢heir action that the ulcer is formed; in such case we must 
further suppose that when full grown they leave their victim and un- 
dergo the pupa state in the earth, a proceeding of very common oc- 
currence amongst parasitic insects. One thing, however, seems 
evident, that from their vast numbers their ordinary development 
must take place elsewhere than in the foot. In my memoir on this 
insect I noticed the obsolete structure of the labium *, and had thence, 
as well as from the difference of its habits, separated it generically 
under the name of Sarcopsylla or flesh-flea.+ 
The investigation of the natural relations of this order is attended 
with much difficulty: the opinions entertained concerning them by 
authors ignorant of their precise structure cannot be considered as 
entitled to much weight ; and hence the situation assigned to them in 
the Réegne Animal, between the lice and the beetles}, is one of the 
most unnatural that could have been found for them. Lamarck had 
pointed out the relation of the flea to the Diptera resulting from its 
transformations ; and Strauss Durckheim (Anat. du Hanneton, p. 5. 9, 
* M. Duges, in his memoir, published subsequent to the reading of my memoir, 
also noticed this peculiarity, but nevertheless did not think it necessary to separate 
it generically from the common flea. 
+ The same opinion was also held by the Rey. L. Guilding, who, in his collec- 
tion, had applied the generic name of Sareophaga to this insect ; this name I should 
have retained, had it not been long preoccupied for the flesh-fly. M. Guérin has 
named it Dermatophilus in his description of the plates of the Zconographie (not 
yet published). 
¢ Mr. MacLeay insists upon this order being considered as the analogical repre- 
sentative of the order Coleoptera, in consequence of the similar nature of their 
transformations. 
