330 INSECTS. 



The transformations, however, of the Flea, are not of 

 the kind called " imperfect ;" the larva is a long, footless, 

 worm-like little grub, and the pupa is quiescent, re- 

 sembling that in Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. 



The mouth is formed for sucking, and is composed of 

 the usual parts mandibles, maxill, labial and maxillary 

 palpi, and tongue, but is deficient in the upper lip. 

 The mandibles are transformed into serrated lancets, to 

 which the labial palpi form a sheath, the maxillse are 

 small, and the jointed maxillary palpi standing out in 

 front of the head might easily be mistaken for antennae. 

 The real antennas are small, curiously formed, and gene- 

 rally concealed. The body is compressed, the legs long 

 and very powerful, especially in the action of leaping. 



About twenty British species are known, but it is 

 probable that many remain to be discovered, parasitic on 

 quadrupeds and birds. Man himself, cats, dogs, bats, 

 moles, pigeons, &c., are infested by them generally, 

 each by a species peculiar to itself. Each species pre- 

 fers the animal to which it belongs, and it is therefore 

 seldom or. never that a Flea found upon our persons 

 albeit it was hatched in the hen-house, or in the rug on 

 which our dog was lying is either a dog's Flea or a 

 chicken's Flea. Yet it must be confessed that there is 

 a natural reluctance on our part to lay claim to any 

 especial property in this insect. We can enter into the 

 feelings of a certain Princess, when an " Industrious 

 Flea," having escaped while being exhibited, and, as it 

 was supposed, " taken refuge with her Royal Highness," 

 the culprit was sought for, captured, presented to the 

 exhibitor, and declared to be not an educated, but a 

 " wild " Flea not his, but hers. 



Fleas thrive especially in dirty and untidy houses, and 



