554 
THE FLEA. 
Genus V. — Pulex. Tihe Flea. 
1 his genus confifls of two fpecies, which are charadler- 
ifed by fix feet formed for leaping ; filiform antenmc; 
a roftrum bent inwards, fetaceous, and concealing a fting : 
The abdomen is laterally compreiled, and covered with 
imbricated laminae *. 
This tribe, like the preceding, is blood-thirfly, and 
fattens at the expence of the human race. It is faid to 
prefer the more delicate lkin of women ; but feeds neither 
upon epileptic perfons, upon the dead, nor the dying. 
Other animals, as well as man, fuSer by its intrufions. It 
neftles in the fur of dogs, cats, and rats y and the nefts of 
the river fvvallow fwarm with them f. 
Pulex irritans, the lied flea. In this animal, the an-*- 
tennte are longer than the thorax ; the body of a dark 
brown colour, and of an oval form ; it is apterous, walks 
but little; but by the elafticity of its legs, can fpring 
above two hundred times the length of its own body. 
From microfcopic obfervations which have been made 
upon this animal, it has been found to be oviparous}:. The 
eggs are depofited on blankets, or among the down of' 
animals ; they are round and fmooth ; and in four or five 
days, give birth to a very minute worm, which feeds»- 
upon greafy fur. After having crept about in this larva 
ft ate 
* Sylt. Nat. p. 1021. f Syft. Nat. du Rcgne Animate, p- *3*, 
1 Bonani Microgr. f. 
