New-York tribune., 1891-05-22
MOSOUTTO DFSTPOYEPS

We spoke Yesterday of the fate of the French
scientist, Kunckel IIirculais, who fell victim,
il is alleged, to Algerian locusts. We unhesi-
tatingly rejected the locust theory and suggested
travelling New-Jersey mosquitoes The idea met
with ready acceptance, and yesterday afternoon a
number of leading Jerseymen called at the office
and expressed their thanks for our efforts to see
that their State insect received the credit due it,
They laughed at the idea of locusts, and gave as
their opinion that the locusts in Algcrs might be
driven away by free importation Of Jersey mos
auitoes But as the mosquitoes would also prob
ably drive away the Algerian people, the light
native costume affording but little protection,
there would not be much gain. new invention
for protection against mosquitoes is reported, and
this the unfortunate scientist should have had
whatever it was that attacked him. This inven-
ton is described In an exchange as exceedingly
fine and light wire netting, which Is hung around
the bed like ordinary mosquito netting. After the
occupant of the bed has retired he switches q
strong current of electricity into this netting and
every mosquito which alights thereon is instantly
killed.
Ingenious as this invention seems ct first sight,
we believe that it has grave difficulties to over
come Probably il it is generally introduced
few mosquitoes will be killed, but we doubt not
that they will speedily find some way TO circum-
vent it. 1t is O wellknown fact that the Jersey
MOSQUITO keeps the running-tme of the trains In
mind and never fails to meet the afternoon trains
from the city at the station and to accompany the
summer boarder to his boardingplace. Is 1t prob
able that such mosquito is going to 90 down
before q patry electricity charged network? The
Jersey mosquito will simply put on rubber gloves
raise UP the network, pass under and devour his
victim at his leisure.
II any headway IS ever going TO be made against
the Jersey mosquito. more vigorous measures must
he used-say, for instance something like the
dynamite guns OF the Vesuvius IL charge
from one of these guns should ever hit a Jersey
mosauito. no doubt IL would kill him. but the diff
cultv instantly arises of hitting him. II he could
be induced TO crawl down into dynamite cannon
no could be annihilated but the trouble would be
found in inducing him to enter the nlu7zle III
summer boarder were sent down first no doubt the
mosouito would follow. but ID would not probably
be found economical 70 sacrifice a boarder for
every mosquito Perhaps some sort OF trap
door could be arranged in the breech Of the gun
for the rescue Of the boarder. Then the gun
could be carefully baited with hardy ive-doar-a.
week boarder and after he had attracted suf-
icient number of mosquitoes into the treacherous
cavity he could be extracted through the door.
the charge fred and the gun again set. Barring
premature explosions of the charge. one boarder
would thus serve for large number Of shots We
hardly expect 10 see this plan tried the coming
summer, but we throw out the idea, and ingenious
Jersey inventors are welcome TO do what they
please with IT,