. The book of bugs. . IV THE WICKED FLEA. THERE is social distinction in insect parasites as well as in all other things that man has to do with. Certain undesirable creatures that become attached to us, that like us, we wouldn't mention by name for worlds unless we are talking to people that we are very well acquainted with indeed, ' for fearful inferences the company might ; These nameless foes in a way represent a low stage of culture. They stand for indifference to soap and water and fine-tooth combs. To know too much of them by personal experience is to be away behind the style.
. The book of bugs. . IV THE WICKED FLEA. THERE is social distinction in insect parasites as well as in all other things that man has to do with. Certain undesirable creatures that become attached to us, that like us, we wouldn't mention by name for worlds unless we are talking to people that we are very well acquainted with indeed, ' for fearful inferences the company might ; These nameless foes in a way represent a low stage of culture. They stand for indifference to soap and water and fine-tooth combs. To know too much of them by personal experience is to be away behind the style. Cleanliness is all the go nowadays. But fleas are different. They are no respecters of persons. They bite the just and the unjust, the man with silk underwear and the man with no underwear at all. They do not depend upon the personal untidiness of their hosts. In a way they may be said, too, to have social distinction, for they don't take up with any and every body they meet. Fleas haven't been studied very much. We had sooner kill them than study them, though they are about the finest specimen of a zoological oddity going. They are utterly unlike other insects, and these naturalists that cannot rest until they have pigeon-holed a creature and shown its relationship have had to walk the floor and worry more about the flea than any other. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Sutherland, Harvey. New York ; London : Street & Smith
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Keywords: ., bookc, bookcollectionbiodiversity, bookleafnumber62, bookyear1902
