Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-08-17

II the mosquito were very rare insect,
found only in some far-of country, we should
look upon it as one of the most curious of
living creatures, and read its history with
wonder-that an animal could live two such
very different lives, one in the water and the
other in the air. We speak of the mosquito
as il there were but one, while really there
are over 30 different kinds, all, however, hav-
ing similar habits, so that a description of
one answers for all. The female mosquito
lays her eggs on the water. She forms little
boat, gluing the eggs together side by side,
until she has from $50 to $50 thus fastened
together. The boat or raft is oval in shape,
highest at the ends, and floats away merrily
for few days. The eggs then hatch and the
young mosquito enters the water, where the
early part of its life is to be passed. You can
find the young insects in this, their larval stage,
in pools of fresh water, or even in a tub Of
rain water which has been standing uncovered
for few days. They are called wrgglers, on
account of tho droll way in which they jerk
about through the water. They feed upon
very minute creatures and also upon decay
ing vegetable matter. Near the tail the wrig-
ger has tube through which it breathes.
II you approach the pool or tub very quietly,
you can see them in great numbers, head5
downward, with their breathing tube above
the surface. If you make the least disturb
ance they will scamper down into deep water.
After wrigglng about for two weeks and
changing their skins several times, the larVa
becomes pupa You know that most in
sects in the pupa state do not move, but take
a sleep of greater or less length Not so the
lively little mosquito In its pupa state it be-
| comes O big headed creature which does not
eat. 1t moves about quite rapidly, but not
with the same wriggling motion; it now has
a pair of paddles at its tail end, and takes in
air through tubes near tho head. In five or
ten days the mosquito ends its life in the wa
ter, and becomes winged insect. The pupa
| comes to the surface, and the skin cracks
open on the back, allowing first its head and
| chest to come forth, and finally the legs,
wings, and the rest. This is a most trying
moment in the life of the insect if slight
| puff of wind should upset it before the wings
are dry, it will surely drown only small
| proportion Of the whole number sue
ceed in safely leaving the pupa case
| the greater share become food for the fishes
If the wings once get fairly dry, then the in
sect can sail away, humming its tiny song oi
gladness. How does it sing? Perhaps wher
you heard its note at night you did not stoE
TO consider. 1t is point which has puzzled
many naturalists, and it is not certainly
known how the note is produced, but proba
bly, the rapid motion of the wings and the vi
bration of the muscles of the chest are bott
concerned in it. The most interesting par
about the insect-the business part" a
some one has called it's its sting, or sucker
This is not simple, sharp. pointed tube, bu
consists of six parts, which lay together in
sheath, and are used as one. How sharI
these must be to go through our skin so easi
ly! After the puncture is made, it then act
as a sucker to draw up the blood. The inseo
which visits us is the female. We rarely SO
the male mosquito. Blood is not neeessar
to the existence of the mosquito, and proba
bly, but q small share of them ever taste il
The countries in which mosquitoes live i
greatest numbers-actual clouds-are not il
habited, and there are but few animals. An
| An