DIPTERA 325 



sailors as a rough and ready indication that the huts had not been 

 long abandoned by the Maoris." 



It is quite probable that there were no fleas in this country at the 

 date of Cook's first voyage (1769), but that they were then introduced, 

 and very rapidly increased. It would seem, indeed that this is the case 

 from the following facts. 



In the vocabulary at the end of Nicholas's Narrative of a Voyage 

 to NewZealand, vol. 11, p. 338 (published in 1817), occurs the following : 



A White Man = Packaha. 



The flea is also called by this name, as the Maoris assert it to have been 

 first introduced into their country by Europeans. 



Angas in Savage Life and Scenes in Australia and New Zealand, 

 vol. II, p. 20 (published in 1847), says: 



Here we pitched our tent, overlooking the broad surface of the Waikato, 

 at about half a dozen yards from its brink. The fear of too many visita- 

 tions from that active parasite, the flea (cleverly styled e pakea nohinoki, 

 or "the little stranger," by the natives, who say it was first introduced by 

 the Europeans), prevented our encamping within the enclosure of the pah. 



Mr Elsdon Best says: "I cannot remember any mention of the 

 flea in old Maori traditions, as the waeroa, Kutu and namu are men- 

 tioned, which seems to support the above statements." 



After their introduction fleas increased at an astounding rate, and 

 spread from end to end of the country. The Maori pas and villages 

 were full of them, especially in the North Island ; but they are found 

 also in vast numbers in warm dry quarters, such as abandoned settle- 

 ments, old sheds and sheepyards, where the ground often literally 

 moves with them. 



Ctenocephalus canis, Curtis. Dog and Cat Flea 

 This is a conunon species in New Zealand, and "is probably the 

 most widely distributed member of the order." It has been recorded 

 as Pulex serraticeps, Gervais. Mr Rothschild considers that there are 

 two distinct species, one C. canis occurring on dogs, and C. felis on 

 cats, but he states that it is impossible to separate them. 



Ceratophyllus fasciatiis, Curtis. Rat Flea 

 This flea is probably common on rats throughout the country, 

 but no one has worked out the occurrence of this important group, 

 except Dr Russell-Ritchie, who informs me that it is common in 

 rats which have been examined in Wellington Hospital. This is one 

 of the species which conveys bubonic plague, but before investiga- 

 tions into the possible introduction of this disease can be properly 

 undertaken, a complete study of the fleas present in the country must 

 be made. 



