172 THE ART OF TRAINIXG ANIMALS. 



It may easily be imagined that the capture and training of 

 fleas would require a patience almost rivaling Job's, and a skill 

 which, in its particular way, might almost be called a triumph 

 of genius. Yet that has been done, and some years ago a man 

 gave exhibitions of what he termed '^educated fleas," which 

 were quite popular and successful. This man was a German, 

 who, at the time we speak of, was somewhat more than sixty 

 years of age, and had been, with true Teutonic steadfastness, 

 about twenty years engaged in his strange vocation. Fortu- 

 nately he was endowed with a sharp pair of eyes, which not only 

 enabled him to keep track of his little performers, over three 

 score in number, but also to make the minute ^' properties " 

 used in the exhibition. 



This '' artist in fleas" took considerable pains to secure 

 choice specimens for his collection, and had arrangements 

 whereby they were forwarded to him by mail, carefully packed 

 in cotton, from localities noted for their superior breeds. When 

 not in use the fleas are packed away in pill-boxes between lay- 

 ers of cotton. They are fed twice each day ; the manner of 

 feeding being to allow each to suck one drop of blood from the 

 trainer's bare arm. This would be an ordeal few of our readers 

 would probably care to submit to, but the hero of the sixty fleas 

 had become so accustomed to it that he didn't mind it in the 

 least, and, for aught we know, rather enjoyed it. 



The intelligence of fleas is not of a very high order, and their 

 "education" is really very limited; the seeming marvels they 

 perform being mainly clever management on the part of their 

 exhibitor. When first received they are secured with a halter 

 of the finest imaginable silk to prevent escape. The first 

 thing they are taught is not to jump. For this purpose 

 the end of the halter is secured to a pin in the table, and 

 each jump naturally results in the prisoner being upset 

 with a sudden jerk, with, no doubt, a rather unpleasant sensa- 

 tion about the neck. Sometimes a sharp pressure upon certain 

 muscles is resorted to for checking this jumping propensity. 

 Being well fed and well treated, when it behaves itself, even a 

 flea will become tame. Punishment, too, for rebellious conduct 

 is also practiced. As fleas are not well adapted for being flogged 

 a new device is resorted to, a piece of burning charcoal, or 

 heated wire, is held over them until they are subdued. 



The usual performances consist in little coaches being drawn 

 about by fleas harnessed up, while others of the troupe person- 

 ate riders, coachmen and footmen. Then there is the ball-room 

 scene, where fleas waltz around to the imaginary music of an 

 orchestra of fleas, furnished with minute imitations of various 



