New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-25
THE GRE4T MoSo GRO THEORY.

Tho northern part of New-Jersey, more especially
Hoboken and the regions adjacent to the great
Newark marshes, is much agitated over question
of practical entomology. There has been an i'm
menso an almost unparalleled falling OIL In this
years mosquito crop Mosquitoes have been scarcer
in these localities than In any previous year known
TO the Oldest inhabitant This fact presents itself
to tho population under diverse aspects, yet very
few are favorable contrary to what might be ex-
peoted of ordinary human nature. But the inhabi-
tants Of Northern New-Jersey are profound analys-
ers. Finding themselves year by year subjected to
countless swarms Of mosquitoes for whose primitive
creation and subsequent preservation in the ark
of Noah no argument had been adduced by the
most learned dvines, they retired within them
selves and by evolution obtained the fol-
lowing solution; The northern part Of New
Jersey produces malaria as well as mos
outoes and by observation the great truth has
been discovered that malaria creates the greatest
ravages when tho mosquitoes are dormant or dead
At first this was considered providentiay merciful,
because malaria and mosquitoes combined would
probably be too much for the most robust human
ity. But upon mature analysis OF the facts this
prima facie view was not sustained. On comparison
with other regions ii was found that the busy
son Of malaria ought to have been coinoident with
the lveliest times Of the mosquitoes. Then sudden
ken. and from his inner consciousness he evolved
the great truth thai mosquitoes were the natural
antidote to malaria.
This position onco taken, Investigation quickly
followed and confirmed It. The sucking proboscis
of the genus culex Of the order Dptera consists of
membraneous sheath inoosing fromltwo to six sharp
bristes or lancets which take thsplace Of jaws, and
whose punctures therefore, in familiar parlance
called bites. From these tho animal or vegetable
juices rise by capillary attraction and are absorbed
by the sucking processes of the mosquitoes. Now
the irritation caused by these punotures ought TO be
mperceptible button the contrary excessive and
has been known In delicate skins to produce ultimate
liberation. A profound and searching inquiry into
the nature Of sirrtation demonstrated beyond the
possibility Of doubt that II was caused by the saliva
of the insect flowing into the punotures and that
this saliva was less irritating according to
the amount Of vegetable juices with which IL was
charged. When the bite is almost imperceptible it
is safe to conclude that the insect has not previously
been imbibing vegetable Juices When it irritates
orcibly the conclusion is clear that the mosquito is
varying his diet and that the lancets of his probos
els have very recently been stepped In vegetable
sap. The theory Is clear and does honor to the
profound. intellect Of Northern New-Jersey. Ma
ara is caused by the decay of vegetable substances
forming minute germs which enter the system and
poison the blood. The mosquito Is the natural in
oculator Of the human against this blood poi
sonlng, and saves to the people Of Northern New
Jersey In the single article of quinine pills mil
lions upon millions of dollars annually 1t is there
fore obvious that the almost absolute failure of the
mosquito crop must lead to either wholesale adult
eration or immense rise in the price of quinine
Nothing has been found which can take the place of
the mosquito save quinine, nothing has been dis
covered suitable substitute for Quinine save tho
mosquito The liver pad invented by The SuH's can
didate for the Presidency has been found totally
inadequate for tho wants Of Northern New-Jersey.
Whether there will be balm In Gilead or not de-
ponds upon the amount Of credenoe which may be
placed in the predictions Of weather prophets.
These gentlemen seldom agree In details, but are
usually In accord upon the main fact. The proph-
cts who have risen up on the Palisades and other
high places of Hoboken seem to be unanimous that
there will be continuous warm weather from the
middle of November almost to the end Of December.
During the long continued spell Of cold weather
in the fall the boat-shapod masses Of mosquito eggs