all-important 

 parts, the pres- 

 ent example 

 being especial- 

 ly emphasized 

 because of its 

 conspicuousness 

 and its violence to 

 purely human sen- 

 timent. The para- 

 site would often 

 seem to hold the balance 

 of power. 



Jonathan Swift's epit- 

 ome of the subject, if 

 not specifically true, is 

 at least correct in its general application : 



"A flea 



Has smaller fleas that on him prey ; 

 And these have smaller still to bite 'em; 

 And so proceed ad infinitum" 



