THE PULEX.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 758, 26 April 1877, Page 3

THE PULEX.

ShWTOotOK I^ tbut jfttjp,-, sucoess.vir.lt is.no use Setting Y taring iraps-for: theni, ior'caii to they way which_ Jhey cannot jump over. Entomology divides fleas into the^pttlexV is; her, lieved that the San .Francisco flea is a direct lineajidesqenflan^^a upipn between tnese'iwo. species,, tlje result of which has been to. produce an in* sect wi«k l a $fofc"lilce a pelican, and a capacity for nourishment greater than that of the _cotyloid_ worm, known to science as a Sangnisnga, ,anjl> fatsi&Movl& attlarge<as a leech,, Any information, therefore, whTcfi can be given as to the sure and certain me.thod pf, i catchipg' ! a «isc6 s flea" 'miist'Se 'a benefit to the community m partipular, and to all dwellers m arenose regions gene* rally*, s^efore into f the~ minute .particulars as td how to capture this ilgile 1 and :holiome|abol9«s aphaniptercfaj^ ,c>r..^9lJßing' dipteron, a few parfcicuUrs. regarding it, ;•. not gene•calLyv known to 4tisect collectors/ are Yespectiuily •sabtnUted. '' S.nytning ? whidh r m 4 n ijn^3 belongs to \%p class^of-epjzoa, .of! wkich. the flea isjiilje most^ common.- A man who is thrown bff';a%d.r>e';is;o^^WrseV exolnded irbni" |B^;;t^ibe of Insects whioh". • stick to Hi\e brute. ,crejation» although Mexicans and Indians are classified Jby some writers as external parasites, on account of their skill as equestrians. The flea has a horny coveting of mail, which will oftentimes, break a man's fingernails m the attempi to decapitate it, ', and there •is > on record the case of a German - Jew who once broke his thumb m a futile endeavour to crack a rery old one;r Ascertain Academy of Sciences, a long time ago, invented a lassoo t( strangle fleas— which was panially Buocessf ul^-but failed on accoun t of the .ingenuity of the insect. The .firstrflea captured was found, after a '. diligent-hunt, oq theVide-Presideiit's

lariat, with great pr'ecjai^n, around the pulex," which wds of enormous size, end safely landed , him on his lia6k. f ' ; Bu/ the flea has m its rtioiM two lancet-like mandibles, which, together with its maxillce, form a sbdtorial beak, and the one m question just chewed up the lasao like lightning^ arid jumped about four feet into the sleeve of another member,* who' was afterwards undressed four times during the evening, m a futile endeavour to re-capture the aqtiy f e : sjkipner. No. other member, present would own that he had fleas, and'tbjg /subject — not the flea— was indefinitely laid on the table. To return' to : thd* tbatter proper— as to ! how to capture a member of the family of Fulicidoa, the reader must imagine, himself m bed^ and grievously tormented by the attentions of one. As soon aa i the precise location of the insect is ascertained, great care must be taken to keep it m the' same spot, by remaining perfectly motionless. At this juncture, it' is' a'jgood plan to carelessly whistle " Tommy make room for your nncle." This throw's the flea off his guard, and renders him' unsuspicious of hostile intentions. Now reach for a vial;, of "cljlorofbrm, which to all skilled flea-hunters is an invalnable adjunct, and Bhonld be kept under the oOlW.'' \ [ Pour abont two tea-; snoonfiills^ddw^n^ your bactri'n a beelin^ j wijjh.^ ttie ; ppsiy oni of the. enemy. If it bftesr •several times during the foregoing^proceedings, do not; emit any cry'of |ain,;even though obliged to winoe Jat.; the. severity of the wound. .Within five minntes of the administration of the anaesthetic the flea-..^ will .be ' asleep. Now is the time for jrevehge. . Tear off the bedclothes ; feel for him j grasp him ; and hold: him tight between two fingers,, previously moistened with saliva. Catch him by .the, hind legs, which hWeipt'tkrsar joints, and pull off seven of them, leaving him ju^o'iie to' Walk with] f Let your foe lie on a"' 'wibite sheet until consciotisness. returns, when he will; Imniediaieiy. attempt to jump. ; Likel Sampson shorn of his locks, he will; be. powerless, and m impotent rage Will' yell and ( shriek until ever y flea m the house will .hop to him to find otifc .What is ; the* matter. Now-us your time. ; Throw -. flat irons- at them, jump 1 on them, crack ■ them, drown them, . e'?terininate, them Jitterly," unt^jbKere are npn^lefl;.: The first fiea will have* committed suicide by time, and you can then go tP, .bed . and sleep, jin peace.—? 1 San Frandisco News Letter.' * " "'■■.'-