PULEX. 125 



The flea has more strength and agility in 

 proportion to its size than any other animal. 

 A flea, by a dexterous contrivance, has been 

 fastened to a small cannon, which it has dragged 

 along without difficulty ; and it is not uncom- 

 mon to find it exhibited at country fairs, either 

 drawing a chain fixed to its scaly body, at least 

 thirty times heavier than itself, or springing 

 along with a little ivory chariot behind it. 



It was thought unnecessary to design this 

 little animal, which is every where figured and 

 every where known. Another species was there- 

 fore preferred, which, though it belongs to the 

 same genus, is totally unknown in this climate. 

 The Chigger (Pulex penetrans), the pest of the 

 West Indies and South America, is so small 

 as to be hardly perceptible : the magnified re* 

 presentation has consequently been given alone, 

 which, together with the following description, 

 is taken from Catesby : " It is a very small 

 flea, that is found only in warm climates : it is 

 a very troublesome insect, especially to negroes, 

 and others that go barefoot and are slovenly. 

 They penetrate the skin, under which they lay 

 M 3 



