THE COMMON FLEA. 



553 



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

 tains 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 

 loaves, 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 



ScuteiUiria grandis. 



Catacanlhus nigripet. 



Edessa curiut. 



been known 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 Scutelleridae are 

 remarkable for the gorgeousness of their coloring. 



APHANIPTERA. 



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 com- 

 mon 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 



