There is a poem by Jonathan Swift (1733) that goes:
So, naturalists observe, a flea
Hath smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller still to bite ’em,
And so proceed ad infinitum.
Thus, every poet, in his kind,
Is bit by him that comes behind.Which has been recently re-hashed as:
Big fleas have little fleas
Upon their backs to bite &em;
And little fleas have lesser fleas
And so, ad infinitum.Whichever version you prefer – I think that you will agree it aptly sums up what is happening to this poor fly that I found hanging out on a Euphorbia a few days ago… More soon and thanks to everyone for the kind comments!
Oh My God, a flea on the eyeball! Dino – this should have been titled Mites on a flies eye! Great post. Thanks, now my head is itching!