LIFE HISTORIES OF CULEX. 35 



The migration of mosquitoes has been the source of 

 much misapprehension on the part of the pubhc. The idea 

 prevalent at our seaside resorts, that a land breeze brings 

 the swarms of mosquitoes from far inland, is based on the 

 supposition that it is capable of long sustained fliglit and 

 a certain amount of battling against the wind. Tliis is an 

 error. Mosquitoes are frail of M'ing; a light puff of breath 

 will illustrate this by hurling the helpless creature away, 

 and it will not venture on the wing again for some time 

 after finding a safe harbor. The prevalence of mosquitoes 

 during a land breeze is easily explained. It is usually 

 only during the lulls in the wind at such times that Culex 

 can fly. Generally on our coast a sea breeze means a stiif 

 breeze, and during these even the Odonata, and often the 

 robust and venturesome Tabanidae, will be found hover- 

 ing on tlie leeward side of houses, sand dunes, and thick 

 foliage. In the meadows south of Atlantic City, Xew 

 Jersey, large swarms of Culex are sheltered in the dense 

 grass or wind battered tree tops on the off side of the sand 

 dunes. Here, in common with all localities so exposed to 

 searching wind, the trees and large bushes are much 

 stunted in growth and battered down to a flat top and 

 common level by the wind. In these matted branches, 

 dense with the close clustered foliage, the mosquitoes may 

 be discovered in such numbers as to bring despair to the 

 heart of the student who is plotting their final extermina- 

 tion. While the strong breezes last — whether from land 

 or sea — Culex will stick close to these friendly shelters, 

 though a cluster of houses may be but a few rods off, 

 filled with unsuspecting mortals who imagine their tor- 

 mentors are far inland over the salt meadows. But if 

 tlie wind dies down, as it usually does when veering, out 



