THE FLEA. 
555 
flate For a few days, it fpins a filken cod, in which it lies 
dormant for about a fortnight ; after which it burfts from 
it s confinement, endowed with powers to difturb the 
peace of an emperor. 
Preparations of mercury are effeaual in deftroying the 
flea, and mod other noxious vermin. In forne places, 
bugs, fleas, and other abominable infects, are held in fu- 
perftitious veneration. At Surat, there is an hoipital 
endowed for their prefervation ; where every night they 
prevail upon feme poor wretch to fuffer himfetf to be 
preyed upon for their fuftenance. They fatten him naked 
upon a bed, where he is deprived of the means of felt* 
defence ; and the famiihed penfioners riot in his blood 
during the whole night *. Another pious foundation of 
a fimilar nature, but lefs ludicrous, is erected in Turkey A 
for decayed or infirm dogs. 
* Barbut’s Genera, p. 33a. 
