Of the Fle a. 193 
and other Animals, flicking them fad there¬ 
to by a Kind of glutinous Moifture. When 
the Eggs hatch, not perfect Fleas, but little 
Worms or Maggots, whofe Bodies have fe- 
veral annular Diviiions thinly covered with 
long Hairs, come out of them, and feed on 
the Juices of the Ani mal, whereto they clofe- 
ly adhere *. Thefe Maggots are very brifk 
and nimble 5 but if touched, or under any 
Fear, roll themfelves up on a fudden in a 
round Figure, and continue motionlefs for 
fome Time; after which they (lowly open 
themfelves and crawl away, as Caterpillars 
do, with a lively and fwift Motion. 
When the Time of their Change ap¬ 
proaches, they conceal themfelves as much 
as poflible; eat nothing, lie quiet, and feesn 
as if dying : but if viewed with the Micro - 
fcope, will be found, with the Silk or Web 
that comes out of their Mouth, weaving a 
Covering or Bag round them, whofe Iniide 
is as white as Paper, though without it air¬ 
ways appears foiled with Dirt. In this Bag 
they put on the Chryfalis or Aurelia Form, 
and become Milk-white : but two or three 
Days before they break from this Prifon, 
their Colour darkens, they acquire Firm- 
nefs and Strength, and as foon as they iffue 
from the Bag are perjeB Fleas, and able to 
leap away. 
* Phil. < Tranf. Nurnb. 249. 
O 4 It 
