32 AN ACCOUNT OF BRITISH FLIES. 
but, according to his descriptions, they are different. Those that 
we have examined from the pigeon seem to be slightly different from 
Hirundinis, being longer and darker and slightly different in the 
construction of the mouth parts.* 
P. hirundinis infests swallows, pigeons, sparrows, and other small 
birds, especially in their nests, 
The mouth parts have been figured by Curtis as long ago as 
1836.T 
Pulex sciurorum, Bouché. 
Larger than the common flea, and more elongated and paler in 
colour. Length, 14 to 14 lin. Head bare; body smooth and 
shining. Antenne short and light in colour, yellowish. Pro-thorax 
dark and ribbed ; meso-thorax also bare. Legs devoid of hair and 
bristles as seen in most fleas. First and fifth joints of fore tarsi 
longest ; the fourth the shortest. In the hind tarsi the first, second, 
and third, in succession, the fifth being larger than the fourth. 
Ungues straight and closely fitted together, resembling one claw. 
This species seems to be exclusively parasitic on the common 
European squirrel (Scéurus vulgaris), and is met with all over 
Europe. 
Pulex melis, Mk. 
This is a large species, long and hairy. General hue, testaceous. 
Antenne filiform, long, composed of four joints; the fourth joint 
longer than the third; the third smaller than the second ; the second 
longer than the first. Legs setose. Abdomen hairy ; four bristles 
near the tip. Joints of tarsus decrease in length from the first to 
the fourth. Length, 14 to 2 lin. 
This species is parasitic on the badger (AZé/es taxus), and is found 
all over Europe. 
Pulex erinacet, Bouché. 
A large species infesting the hedgehog, with a curious fringe of 
small spines on the hind border of the meso-thorax, appearing like 
black ribs on the meta-thorax (?) 
We have not seen this species ourselves. 
Pulex goniocephalus, Tasch. 
The “ Kaninchenfloh” of the Germans. Described in Taschen- 
burg’s “‘ Insectenkunde.” Infesting the weasel, marten, and rabbit, 
* Described in Walckenaer, “‘ Aptéres,” vol. iii., p. 375, pl. 48, fig. 7, and in 
Walker. 
+ Curtis’s “ British Entomology,” vol. vii., pl. 417. 
2 — sl lee 
