356 APTERA. 
formed something like a cat's, and re- 
markably brilliant ; the feelers are sup- 
posed to be, likewise, organs of smell ; 
and two small cavities, covered with a 
thin film, are probably the ears. 
Lucy, Mamma, I have heard that a 
flea has some resemblance to a lobster; 
but the lohster has a great broad tail. 
Mother, The likeness, in shape at 
least, is not very perceptible ; the ideai 
has probably arisen from their scaly co- 
verings. To the naked eye, the flea ap- 
pears to be covered with one single shell; 
but, when examined through the micro- 
scope, the jshell is found to consist of a 
number of highly polished plates, or 
scales, of a substance resembling tortoise- 
shell, and which are beautifully jointed 
and fitted to each other, like a coat of 
mail. The edge of each plate is fringed 
with a regular row of bristles, like little 
spears ; and all these plates yield so 
readily to. the quick motions of the flea 
as not in the least to impede its agility. 
Lucy, How little does one imagine^ 
