The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-26
THAT f1,OOO FLEA STORY.
British Official ExplOdes 1t, as Well as
the Kingfisher's Nest Myth.
New York Times.

New York Times.
Some yarns that have been going the
rounds OF the British and American press
are Knocked on the head by r. BOwdler
Sharpe, assistant keeper of the depart
ment of zoology of the British museum and
one of the beSt-knOwn naturaliSts in Eng
land Mr.. Sharpe, in letter printed in
London, says that in common with other
biologists he has been somewhat concerned
to see the avidity with which certain jour
nails in England publish broadcast myths
connected with natural history and the
credulity with which nonsensical para
graphs of this kind are received by the
public.
1t may be mentioned in passing that the
paragraphs in English papers referred
to have been transformed in some Amer
lean papers to whole columns, with illus
trations and the most marvellous of de-
tails.
Mr.. Sharpe goes on to refer to a myth
which he says is most in vogue In the
spring time. and which causes him much
loss of time. 1t is to the effect that the
British museum is in want of a kingfisher' 8
nest, and has offered a reward of f100 to
tional collection. Mr.. Sharpe has to assure
numbers of well-meaning collectors every
season that the museum has all the king
fishers nests it wants
The writer then speaks of a still more re-
markable story, and one that has been
extensively exploited in America. 1t is that
a well-knOwn entomologist" has paid
$1,000 for specimen of a flea. In America
this ''well-known entomologist' was de-
clared 10 De LORD RoCnScnlld, ana the nea
he was SO anxious to obtain was said to be
the insect which is found on the polar
bear.
Mr.. Sharpe declares that the journals
which print and the folks who read this
nonsense must know it is untrue. He hard
ly makes due allowance for the creduity
of n very large proportion of the inhabit-
ants of the world He adds:
1.-The fieas and mosquitoes are both fam
lilies of insects extremely difficult to study.
We know the mischief which is done by
mosquitoes in the case of malaria, and the
report of the Plague Commission shows
that fieas play no unimportant part in the
dissemination of disease.
ITO make collection of these noxiOus
insects is tedious and difficult matter, but
they have to be studied and monogra phed
like butterflies and the higher orders. II
is, therefore, annoying to biologists to find
mendacious statements published broadcast
which are calculated to bring into ridcule
the earnest work which is being carried or
by entomologists who devote themselves
to the study of these difficult groups.
II have heard of one instance when q
new and curious genus of Pulicidae was
| valued at los, but. as q rule, the sum OF
| Sd Cd is considered sufficient value by
| museums for any specimen of fieas OBJ
| tanned from animals in any part of the
world
AS Mr.. Sharpe remarks, there is a con-
| siderable difference between sixpence and
thousand pounds. He says that it may
| palpable untruth is not worth the time IL
| takes to expose ii. but that the reiteratior
| of the myth in responsible journals and the
credulity of the public, as shown by the
| correspondence the subject, render il
| desirable to make the true facts public.