Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-19
The Tribe Of Mosouitocs.

The Tribe Of Mosquitoes.
The air is the hame of an immense and di.
versifed world of beings living on the wing
The melodiouS voices, yeriegated colors, the
cheerful demeanor. and the graceful motions of
the birds, their twitterings, chirrs. and carols.
have linked them with oil the beautiful of the
creation, and their qualities are duly enumera-
ted in lyric song. To float above the earth like
gosamer and cleave the trenlulous air with
delicate pinions seems to be accorded only to
the privileged few of the animal kingdom.
And yet it shall be the purpose of this writing
to show that there are some creatures who do
not de,erve this favored distinction-some in
deed, that present no claims whatever-to ex-
cept them from an utter and sweeping execra-
ton. We will be permitted to say that we re.
Ter to the tribe of mosquitoes, species of the
genus culeT or gnat, an abomination and
curse.
1t will be thought that our attack on the
mosquito is based solely on his propensity to
sting But not 50. The bee possesses fang
which is poisonous and severe, but never uses it
except in cases of self defence Besides, the
bee is pattern of industry and patience,
most expert geometrician, and its example is
constant benefit to the plodding races Of men.
The wasp, at least may boast Of symmetrical
form and model waist. The flea is not altogeth-
err devoid of interest. Its agility, by which it
may make the extraordinary leap of TWO hum
dred times its own diameter, must save it from
an universal denu notation. The common house
fly has traits of omiableness He loves the
broad daylight and the glare Of the sun, and
has companiOnable buzz, just as a shoemaker
has social whistle. Heisnot particular about
bis food SO as it contains the requisite ingredi-
ent of saccharine matter. But the mosquito
bah Let anybody name for him a redeeming
quality. If there were any sweetness in his
voice-any grace in his movements-any color
on his wings-any intelligence in his counte-
nance-any beauty in his shape-any eenerosi
ty in his breast-if there were any moral les
son to be learned from him-we should not de
test him as we do. The fact is that the mosqui-
to is the embodiment of total depraNity.
The mosquito is an incarnation of malignity.
He is remorseless blood bibber, whose san
guineous voracity is directed against all man
kind. He does nothing but batten on human
blood His cowardly spirit leads him to some
obscure haunt during the day where be pre-
serves moody, hypocrtical, sanctimonious 81
lence. You would think, to look at him in day
light, that he was the most innocent, peaceable,
pitable creature in existence. But let the cur
tain Of night fall Hear his sepulchral war
shout, waving with sonorOus reasonate like the
naughty toscin OF a grand army, mellowed BY
distance. On with perfect remOrtelessness Of
instinct, comes the blood thirsty, burglarious
skeleton, still sounding his trumpet-tongued
sibilation, and bending his cadaverous visage to
scent the veins and arteries whence to feed his
Unsuitable carnal hunger, and make himself
drunk from the gushing fountain of human
life. He makes up for his daylight Pharisaism
and hermit-like solitude by the most diabolical
activity during the night, at which time he
calls about him his band of marauding free
hooters, and begins his savage gorging, swelling
and stuf6ng.
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