Dec. 1, 1865.] 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



279 



nately, the temperature was raised too high, and 

 all that lot of larvae perished, — in fact, they were 

 cooked. 



Another cell was filled and covered with thin glass. 

 This was decidedly better, inasmuch as in a week's 

 time one flea had so far outgrown his companions 

 that he spun a cocoon, and entered into a state of 

 repose preparatory to his final change, and I had 

 great hopes ; but this change never took place, for 

 one of his juniors, supported by a hungry friend, 

 got inside the cocoon and gobbled up my poor 

 protege. I had the satisfaction, after an interval of 

 two days, of seeing the two cannibals wriggling out 

 of the aperture by which they had effected an 

 entrance, while nothing remained of the former 

 occupier, not even the skin. 



V/arned by this circumstance, precautious were 

 taken to separate from the rest some half-dozen 

 larvae, which a few days afterwards were desirous 

 of seeking a place of rest, and had changed con- 

 siderably in colour through ceasing to eat. 



The weather now became colder, and it appeared 

 to affect the subjects of the experiment to some ex- 

 tent. Two of them settled down in different parts 

 of the cell in which I had confined them, and with- 

 out spinning any cocoon, prepared to undergo their 

 metamorphosis into the imago state. Twelve days 

 afterwards, they were noticed to have altered in 

 appearance to something approaching the shape of 

 tlie perfect flea, the resemblance becoming closer each 

 day afterwards. The legs were formed, but soft 

 apparently, and much distended by the contained 

 fluids ; the general colour was white, and the skin 

 semi-transparent, — very like the colour of shrimps 

 before boiling. 



Alas ! my scientific hatching did not end satis- 

 factorily. My baby fleas proved abortive, and soon 

 shrivelled up. The cause I have not ascertained 

 for certain, but think I am not far out in attributing 

 it to want of moisture, and, perhaps, want of air 

 and food. I have not had an opportunity of com- 

 pleting the experiment, but hope to do so at a future 

 time. 



The place in the office where I kept my pets, was 

 regarded with great suspicion by my companions ; 

 and I was to be held responsible, should fleas become 

 numerous there at any future time. 



This, however, involved a question which has not 

 yet been decided, namely, whether the cat-flea will 

 fulfil all the conditions, and rejoice in the comfort, 

 notwithstanding its dangers, which is the lot of the 

 bed-flea. My own impression is decidedly in the 

 affirmative. 



The cat-flea is to be distinguished from the human 

 tormentor, by the array of spinous processes it pos- 

 sesses at the front of the head and back of the neck, 

 somewhat like a collar, while the bed-flea is destitute 

 of them. The squiiTel-flea has a similar series of 

 spines at the back of the neck, but none in the 



front of the head. This kind is also to be found 

 on rats, the writer having once caught a specimen 

 on one. 



I have never seen the larva of the bed-flea. It is 

 said to inhabit dusty corners of rooms and carpets ; 

 very likely the cat-flea larva often does the same, 

 particularly in houses where puss is allowed to roam 

 at will. 



I lately found that oftentimes mice are infested 

 with fleas, and procured some for my cabinet. It 

 is remarkable in this species, that either there are 

 no eyes or they are very obscure. I cannot find 

 them. The figure given of the head of the bat-flea 

 in the Micrographic Dictionai'y resembles the head 

 of the flea in question. 



The subject of this paper is well worth experi- 

 menting upon, and cannot fail to supply interest. 

 The expression of all the friends who saw in my mi- 

 croscope the active and, appareuth', ferocious worms 

 now described, was that of surprise and wonder. 



S, J. M'Iktire. 



THE ELY IN PIKE-EISHING. 



S many of our readers are, at this time of the 

 year, amusing themselves with Pike-fishing, 

 and as some of them are obliged to confine their 

 attention to one stream, it may not be out of 

 place in the pages of Science Gossip to suggest 

 to them the use of the fly as a new sensation. All 

 fishers have remarked that the fish in any stream 

 soon cease to take a particular kind of artificial bait 

 if worked too long at once. Eor this reason a 

 change is extremely desirable. Mr. Pennell, in his 

 "Book of the Pike,"* has figured a fly for Pike- 

 fishing which might be tried with advantage in some 

 localities where it is at present unknown. We quote 

 his own words : — 



" The fly, although it has always held a recognised 

 place amongst pike-baits, is practically very little 

 either known or used, and the small experience I 

 have had of it leads me to class it rather as a ' fancy 

 bait,' which may perhaps be occasionally employed 

 as an agreeable variety, than as a rival to the more 

 solid and time-honoured modes of troUiug. Mr. 

 Stoddart seems to be much of the same opinion. 

 The Pike-fly is also used in the Norfolk Broads, 

 where, according to a recent writer in the -F/(?/f7 news- 

 paper, the experience of trollers is precisely contrary 

 to that of Mr. Stoddart, as it is found that large- 

 sized Pike will frequently take it freely, when nothing 

 over 6 lbs. can be tempted with the natural bait." 



* "The Book of the Pike: a Practical Treatise on the 

 Various Methods of Jack-fishing ; v,'ith an Analysis of the 

 Tackle employed; the History of the Fish, &c. ; also a 

 Chapter on Spinning for Trout in Lakes and Rivers." By 

 H. Cholroondeley Pennell, author of " The Angler Naturalist," 

 &c. London- Hardwicke. 



