THE COMMON FLEA. 



553 



end of the thorax and between the base of the wings. It is a large family, and containrt 

 many British species, some of which are popularly called Bishop's Mitres, on account of 

 their shape, which bears some resemblance to the conventional form of the episcopal 

 head-dress. 



The beak of these insects is very long, and is employed in extracting the juices from 

 leaves, plants, or even from living creatures, some six or eight of these insects having 

 completely cleared a room of the bed-bugs in the space of several weeks. They have also 

 been observed sucking the life-juices of caterpillars. One of these insects has been known 



3t"utelldria 



Catacnnttitui 



to take care of her young, which followed her about, some forty in number, and were 

 watched over by maternal care. The reader will remember that the earwig displays 

 similar parental affection. Many of the exotic species of the Scutelleridse are remarkable 

 for the gorgeousness of their colouring. 



APHANIPTEKA. 



WE are now come to another order, deriving its name from the invariable absence of 

 wings, the name being derived from two Greek words, the former signifying invisible, and 

 the latter a wing. There are not many species belonging to this order, and they are all 

 known by the popular name of Fleas. A magnified representation of the common FLEA 

 is given in the extreme left of the illustration on page 555. 



These insects are notable for their extreme agility and the hard shelly substance of 

 their integuments, two characteristics which are very useful in defending them from foes, 

 for in the first place they leap about so quickly that they are not easily caught, and in the 

 second place they are so hard and polished, that even when seized they are apt to slip 

 through the fingers before they can be immolated to the just wrath of the captor. The 

 mouth of these insects is very complex in its structure, and is a veritable surgeon's case of 

 lancets, saws, and probes. Although eager for blood to a proverbial extent, Fleas can 

 endure a very long fast without much inconvenience. I have known a room to be unused 



