S(5 
Of the Flea, 
Of the ilea. 
HESE little creatures are a furprizmg object, 
JL when examined by the microfcope; they are male 
and female, and undergo the fame changes as the filk- 
worms do. They depofite their eggs, at the roots of the 
hair s of dogs, cats, and other animals, and by a glu¬ 
tinous matter ftick them fait thereto; one of thefe eggs 
is reprefented magnified in fig. 150, and at 151. the fame 
egg broken by the worm, fig. 152. hatched therein. 
This worm h contains the flea, and is compofed of feve- 
ral annular divifions, thinly fet with long hairs, having 
at its head two extremely minute horns at Aj thefe 
worms feed upon the juices of the body whereunto they 
clofeiy adhere. They are very nimble, but if difturbed, 
roll themfelves fuddenly into a round figure, and con¬ 
tinue motionlefs for fome time; after which they open 
themfelves by degrees, and crawl fwiftly away. They 
endeavour to conceal themfelves when their change 
draws nigh, eat nothing, lie quiet, and appear dying, 
but if placed before the microfcope, will be found with 
the web in their mouths, weaving a covering round 
them; the infide of which is perfedtly white, but its 
cutfide as it Were foiled with dirt. In this bag they put 
on the chryfalis, which is reprefented at fig. 153. diveiled 
of its vermicular ikin. About two or three days before 
they break forth from this confinement, their colour 
darkens, and as foon as they iffue from the bag, are per- 
fe£t fleas, and able to leap away. A microfcopic 
picture of a perfect flea is reprefented by fig. 158. 
It 
« Phil. Tranfi No, 249, h Arc, Nat. Tom. iv, 
Epift. 76. 
