1915] Lyon— Notes on the Cat Flea 131 



lobe at the base of the mandibles serves for the attachment 

 of muscles and as a pivot by which they are moved. 



Kunckel describes the maxillae (Fig. 2 B and C) as being sec- 

 tors of a circular saw with the teeth on the greater part of their 

 outline; Taschenberg, as being sickle-shaped on the outer edge, 

 circular in shai)e on the inner edge which is pro\^ided with numerous 

 fine teeth. The two maxillae are provided on their inner cutting 

 surfaces with five sharp-like saw teeth which point upwards. On 

 the ends of the maxillae are clumj>s of fine bristles or "brushes." 

 These work against the curved line of hairs on the roof of the mouth. 

 The bristles on the outer surface of the maxillae interlock when in 

 normal position. In the basal portion of the maxillae, is a part, 

 more heavily chitinized than the rest, which tapers up into a point 

 on either side. Perhaps this is the sickle-shaped afl^air of Taschen- 

 berg. This is evidently a brace for the maxillae, providing a suit- 

 able support for the attachment of muscles at the base and for the 

 support of the palpi, which are two-jointed. The basal joint is 

 short, broad and higher at one end than at the other. The second 

 joint is short and stout, enlarging at its tip an oblique, flat end, 

 bearing five small papilliform processes of unequal length which 

 radiate somewhat. 



The labium is situated well under the head (Fig 2 D) . Laboul- 

 bene says that it is boat-shaped and divided in front, with two 

 palpiform lobes. Kiinckel says that it is tongue-shaped with two 

 very fine points making it bifid, having at its base two humps 

 provided with two long and two short bristles. The labium is very 

 small, narrow, slightly swelling near the end, with a blunt point 

 which is turned upwards. Its bifid appearance is due to the pres- 

 ence of the labial palpi which are situated just back of the tip on the 

 slightly enlarged portion and not at the base of the labium. The 

 palpi consist of a short thick basal joint with four stout bristles, 

 two of which are short and appear almost together, while the other 

 two are longer and spreading. Like the terminal bristles of the an- 

 tennae, they do not taper. The base of the labium appears to end 

 in the suture which extends medially the full length of the under 

 side of the head. 



In conclusion I wish to thank Professor C. T, Brues for his help 

 in preparing the introduction and for the kindly interest which he 

 has shown during the entire work. 



