84 DAYS IN DOVE DALE 



way, with my best spectacles on, I think I 

 discovered the cause of its misery ; the little 

 wretch was swarming with an active little 

 insect, the scientific name of which I believe 

 is pulex irritans, but it is more commonly 

 known as the bed flea ! 



It is, perhaps, needless to say that my tender 

 sympathy for my little mouse received a severe 

 shock, and without more ado I hastily deposited 

 it in the hedge-row out of harm's way from 

 wheel or hoof. There, alas ! it may be still 

 scratching, and all for the want of a little 

 Keating y s powder ; which I do not usually carry 

 about me. 



I have heard of swallows being thus in- 

 habited; but until now I was quite unaware 

 that this interesting insect is common alike 

 to "mice and men." Doubtless this is an- 

 other example of my crass ignorance ; a well- 

 educated countryman would have passed him 

 by on the other side for fear of the fleas ! 

 but 



" I would not enter on my list of friends " 



the man who would needlessly set foot upon 

 him. 



