The Saint Paul globe., 1902-05-11

then left to stagnate for months, form
ing ideal breeding places for the small
nuisance. 1t is probable that more than
half Of the salt-marsh area can be OPEN
ed to tidal movement, and at compare
lively little cost
So long as the mosquito was merely
an annoyance it was difficult to enlist
pecuniary support for a serious and cost
~ move against him. Since. recently, it
was established beyond doubt that Ger
tain of the species generated and spread
the germs of yellow fever, malaria and
other diseases, a deep interest has been
taken in measures looking toward his
annihilation. The medical men and
scientists of the United States govern
ment discovered, through exhaustive and
absolutely convincing Investigation in
Cuba, that a large percentage of the
cases of yellow fever in that island were
or singing it's victim, at the same time
deposited the germ of disease.
Even a Menaee9tO Life.
The bacteria of yellow fever, malaria
and smallpox have been taken from the
insect and they were shown to be not
merely a buzzing stinging nuisance, but
a menace to life and an undoubted car
r1er Of disease. This aspect OF the mos
Quito's existence accounts for the unan-
unity with which the New Jersey legfs-
lators have assented to the appropriation
of funds for its destruction.
Prof. Smith has found that the further
SOuIn one goes III new jersey. the larger
the mosquito Those of the Hackensack
meadows are the smallest but one of
them will breed from 800 to 400 in three or
four days. The largest were found at
Cape Nav and in Burlington county,
where some of them reached the length
of three-quarters of an inch. The insect
is short-lived, but as there are three diff
ferent sets in a year, one for spring, one
early appearance and long stay of the
pests are accounted for.
In discovering some facts about the
mosquito, Prof. Smith was obliged to do
most of his work at long range. He ask
ed the boards of health in every locality
to have dozen or so of the insects
caught and sent to him in bottles. These.
When received, were put in what might
be called his MOSQUITO ranch" which
consists of a lot of turnblers covered
with nets, each tumbler marked geo.
graphically. They were studied under the
microscope. and were given latitude at
intervals so that their habits might be
studied.
The female of TIE tribe is the source Of
al the trouble. She does the stinging.
The male never stings. The food of the
mosquito is the luce of plants and so
long IS these juices can be had. it win
not mOleSt a human being The vora
ciousness of those that live in homes is
explained hy the fact that they cannot
get nlant juices. Mosquitoes in nIa ces
where there are plant growths will sting
when disturbed s anyone who has walk
ed through certa n fields can testify.
The most dangerous MOSQUITO of ali. ac-
cording to Prof Smith and other iuvestf-
gators, IS that known as the Culex ano-
nheles. which bears the germs of disease
It flies onlv at nioht. and is sluggish IT
NAV be DISTINGUISHED from the Culex
nunp0ns or common house mosquito. bv
the fact that while the latter stanlAr fa+
on the wall. and has long. banded logs
the "isease-hearing insect stands at rieht
n7sies on the wall. Those that inhahit
the SAT- marshes, and which are blown
into the SEQ side resorts Of this eac+ior
whenever the breeze is off shore, are
known as the CUlex solIicitans.