Letter 1912

[fol. 175] Sr Upm’r Aug 10 1713 I remember in some of the Transacti- ons there is an account of the Generation of Fleas, which it was never my fortune to see but once before now. And imagining therefore it may be a curiosity not unacceptable to your self, or some of your curious friends, I have sent you some of the Eggs & Maggots of Fleas, wch you will easily discern with the help of a Microscope; and very plainly, it you put some of them into one of Wilsons Sli- ders, & view them in his Microscopes, as I have done. I presume the present will not be the more acceptable by telling you they were the Product of a favourite Cat of a pretty young Lady, a good Fortune, bred among some Muslin, & the blew paper, in wch they now ly, in her Work-basket. There were (they tell me) thousands, but finding them to be Fleas they burnt most of them, forgetting me, till only a few were to be gotten, which you are a large Sharer in. I hope they will come alive to your hands, being very lively and brisk at their putting up. If they are a rarity. I desire Mr Waller may see them, as also Mr Chamberlayne if you meet with him timely, to whom be pleased to render my humble service accepta- ble from Sr Your much obliged humble servant Wm Derham My Wifes humble service & thanks to you; who is I thank God now in a good state of health.