28 THE INSECT WORLD. 



The quantity of blood absorbed by this little creature is enormous, 

 when compared with its size. 



The body of the flea is divided into thirteen segments* of which 

 one forms the head; three the thorax, which is short, and the 

 remainder the abdomen. 



The limbs are long, strong, and spiny. The tarsus or foot, has 

 five joints, and terminates in hooks turned in opposite directions. 

 The two anterior limbs are separated from the others, and are inserted 

 nearly under the head ; the posterior ones are particularly large and 

 strong. 



The jumps which fleas are able to make are really gigantic, and 

 the strength of these little animals quite herculean, when compared 

 with the size of their bodies. The reader may be inclined to smile at 

 the assertion that the flea possesses herculean strength ; but let him 

 wait a little, and he will find that it is no exaggeration. 



To give some idea of the strength, the docility, and the goodwill 

 of the fleas, some wonderful little things have been made, which 

 have served at the same time to show the astonishing skill of certain 

 workmen. 



In his " Histoire abrege'e des Insectes," published in the seventh 

 year of the French Republic, Geoffroy relates that a certain Mark, an 

 Englishman, had succeeded, by dint of patience and art, in making a 

 gold chain the length of a finger, with a padlock and a key to fasten 

 it, not exceeding a single grain in weight. A flea attached to the 

 chain pulled it easily. The same learned writer relates a still more 

 surprising fact. An English workman constructed a carriage and six 

 horses of ivory. The coachman was on the box, with a dog between 

 his legs, there were also a postillion, four persons in the carriage, 

 and two servants behind, and the whole of this was drawn by one 

 flea. 



In his " Histoire Naturelle des Insectes Apteres," Baron Walck- 

 enaer relates the following marvellous instance of industry, patience, 

 and dexterity : 



" I think it is about fifteen years ago, that the whole population 

 of Paris could see the following wonders exhibited on the Place de la 

 Bourse for sixty centimes. They were the learned fleas. I have 

 seen and examined them with entomological eyes, assisted by a 

 glass. 



"Thirty fleas went through military exercise, and stood upon 

 their hind legs, armed with pikes, formed of very small splinters of 

 wood. 



" Two fleas were harnessed to and drew a golden carriage with 



