CIIAJPTliJR XI\% 



ORDER IV. APHANIPTERA(Kirby) 



SUCTOKIA ( Degeee). APTERA ( Lamarck). 



To avoid incongruities in classification, all that family of insects known as fleas, have 

 been separated from their associates, and made an order under the name above given : 

 the oi-der therefore consists of the single family of the Pulicid^, of which the common 

 flea, Pulex irntansj is the leading type. The body of this insect is covered with a firm 

 integument, somewhat shining, and more or less covered with bristles arranged in rows. 

 Its mouth is suctorial, and is composed of a complete apparatus both for inflicting wounds, 

 and for sucking the blood or juices into the stomach. 



The Pdlicid^ are all small insects, yet their anatomy is well known, as made out in a 

 very elaborate manner by Cuetis, Westwood, and M. Duces. The mouth is composed of 

 seven pieces : it has two round eyes situated upon the sides of the head, and antennae 

 placed behind them in a small cavity which is usually closed with a lid or scale. The 

 thorax has three segments : the abdomen is large ; the wings are represented by small 

 scales ; the legs are long, but muscular, and hence are capable of performing wonderful 

 feats in leaping. 



The flea appears to have a choice among the animals it selects for its prey : the pig and 

 dog seem to enjoy a preference ; and for its favorite haunts it selects filthy straw, shavings, 

 litter of most kinds, and dry sandy spots. In these places, under favorable conditions, fleas 

 increase enormously ; and the surface of sand where hogs have been littered during the 

 winter is often black with them, especially in southern countries. 



The chigre, or jigger, Pulex penetrans, of the West Indies, belongs to this family : indeed 

 the species of Pulex are quite numerous ; thus the dog, bat, hedgehog, mole, mouse, and 

 cat have each their peculiar species. So even birds are infested with parasites belonging to 

 this genus. 



It is in warm climates that the pests of this family most particularly abound, and their 

 torments are most felt and dreaded, rendering a residence there extremely uncomfortable. 

 In our own country, cleanliness is the antidote to fleas. The dooryard is frequently the 

 nursery for them, especially where chips and decaying wood are allowed to accumulate, 

 mixed with straw, the refuse of the kitchen, and the blood of domestic animals that have 

 been killed for food. 



An infusion of tobacco is an effectual remedy for domestic animals against fleas, and 

 the heaps of filth in which they are engendered should be removed and burnt. 



