The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-08-22
NUMBER %.
Fleas Under the Microscope.

Though the flea is we'll known, as a
NAL, yet few know its real shape and
figure, the structure, strength and
beauty of its limbs and various parts, or
the manner Of its generation and in
crease-circumstances discoverable only
by the assistance of the microscope.
The flea's body is oval, composed of
shelly scales, curiously jointed, and
folding over each other - those on the
back meeting on each side those that
cover the belly, lying alternately over
one and under another. It's neck is
finely arched, resembling a Holsters tail,
and moving very nimbly by the jointing
and folding of the scales. The head is
small and shelly, q quick, round and
beautiful black eye on each side; in the
middle is round black spot, the pupil,
encompassed with greenish glittering
circular iris, as bright and vivid as the
eye of cat. Behind each eye is q small
cavity, with certain thin, moving film,
beset with many small transparent hairs,
| probably the. ear. From the snout pro-
ceed the. two forelegs, between which
are two long feelers, each having four
joints and much hair below, and almost
between theseis the proboscis or piercer,
consisting of a tube and tongue, or
sucker, protrusive or contractilel ct
pleasure. thas also a couple of darts
or lancets, shaped and opening like the
| blades Of pair of fround-looped scissors,
with which it penetrates the skin of liv-
L ing creatures, and leaves a round, red
spot, commonly termed q f1ea-bite. All
the shells and scaly coverings, are
/ exquisitely polished, and in color re-
/ senblei fine tortoise she'll; along the
middle scale on the back and
belly is row of strong, sharp bristles,
pointing toward the tail, like the quilts
Of . porcupine, and as large in proper
ton to the animal. The neck and
shoulders are similarly armed, and num-
bers of bristles are placed about the tail.
But the curious structure and cOntriv-
ance of its legs more particularly de-
serve our examination and admiration,
j as not discoverable in any other crea-
ture, and particularly adapted to the
exigencies of the flea; for as the flea
I lives by sucking the blood Of animals,
i which is not obtained without inficting
wounds and causing pain, necessarily
productive of resentment and q desire
Of revenge, it is requisite for the little
invader to possess some ready means OF
escape; else every meal must be paid
for with its life. Being without wing,
its safety must be entirely owing to it's
legs, and they are most astonishingly
fitted for this purpose. A short one
folds within the other, and by stretching
| them to their whole length, with sud-
den spring or jerk, they commonly de-
liver the little animal from the danger
II of pursuit. To leap the flea folds up
its six legs, and extends them all at the
same instant; and its whole strength
being thereby .exerted at once, the little
body is carried to considerable dis
tance. The legs, like those of fly.
have three principal and larger strong
parts, and below them many small joints
or divisions from which proceed long
hairs or bristles; and each foot has a
pair of hooked claws or talons, the bet
| teri itsleaping to fasten and cling to
what be lights upon, . Nea0castle (Eng.)
! Chronicle.