205 



ORDER IX. APHANIPTERA. 



800. THE Insects of this Order, although possessing, at the 

 utmost, very indistinct rudiments of wings, must be arranged 

 with the winged or typical Insects, as their metamorphosis is 

 very complete, whilst the structure of the mouth is such as to 

 have induced many Entomologists to include them amongst the 

 Diptera. The Fleas and their 

 allies, which constitute this 

 order, resemble the Diptera 

 also in their suctorial habits ; 

 and feed exclusively upon ani- 

 mal juices. Their larvae come 

 forth from the egg in the state 

 of minute worms, possessing 



considerable activity, and FIQ . 5 3i._ TH E FLEA. (PU?* 

 feeding upon animal matter, 



in the midst of which the eggs were deposited by the parent. 

 They afterwards enclose themselves in a small cocoon of silk, 

 which is often covered with dust ; and in this they undergo their 

 change into the Pupa state. In the Imago, the rudiments of 

 wings are visible, in the form of little scales, attached to the 

 second and third segments of the body. The Common Flea 

 is known to every one. There is a very curious species, of more 

 minute size, in the West Indies ; which is commonly known 

 under the name of Chigoe or Jigger. This burrows beneath the 

 skin of the foot, and soon acquires the size of a pea, by the 

 enormous growth of the abdomen when distended with eggs. 

 If these eggs remain to be hatched beneath the skin, great irrita- 

 tion, and even very troublesome sores, are sure to result ; and it 

 is consequently necessary to extract the insect entire, with great 

 care, as soon as the indication of its presence is given by a slight 

 itching or tingling. 



VOL. ii. Q 



