TRAINED FLEAS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5006, 28 July 1926, Page 3

TRAINED FLEAS.

A PROFESSOR’S ART. Professor J. C, Ruhl, grandson of the historic 1 Prdfessor Rulil, in 1921 exhibited the first thoroughly trained troupe of fleas in the United States. He has trained a troupe of I’so fleas, to perform stunts of genuine interest and which seem to call for almost human intelligence (says an American newspaper). Although intelligent, however, and although readily amenable to instruction, each flea can be trained to do only one thing, and It requires limitless patience to put the squad through a rehearsal. Professor Ruhl has exhibited his troupe of 150 performing fleas .thrclughout the United States and Europe, Seen recently exercising his troupe, one flea was noticed harnessed to a cannon. Next, three fleas in paper costumes were dancing on top of a mirror. Fdllbiwing them', two fleas were seen harnessed to a heavy roller, and then two more were attached to* another cannon. Next, one was hanging by a chain round its neck, while another flea was trying to free the prisoner. Finally a single flea was s,een pulling a merry-gbl-round. Everything the flea pulls or liffe or throws is many times its own .Weight. The fleas will jump through a loop, draw miniature cannon, dance or perform a score or more of tricks. Prbifesspr Ruhl feeds his charges twice a day qn his arm, hut s,o ac'custotaied is he to them that he does not feel! their bites.