THE GNAT. 125 



tated at their extremity, like the head of an 

 arrow, and sharp-edged like razors. These 

 spicula introduced into the veins, act as 

 pump-suckers, into which the blood ascends, 

 by reason of the smallness of the capillary 

 tubes. The insect injects a small quantity 

 of liquor into the wound, by which the blood 

 becomes more fluid, and is seen through the 

 microscope passing through these spicula. 

 The animal swells, grows red, and does not 

 quit its hold, till it has gorged itself The 

 liquor it has injected, causes, by its irritation, 

 that disagreeable itching which we expe- 

 rience ; and which may be removed by vola- 

 tile alkali, or by scratching the part newly 

 stung, and washing it with vinegar. At 

 night to rub with fuller''s earth and water, 

 lessens the pain and inflammation. 



The female deposits her eggs in the water, 

 placing them in the form of a little boat. 

 This vessel, composed of two or three hun- 

 dred eggs, swims on the water for two or 

 three days, after which they are hatched. 

 If a storm arises, the boats are sunk. Every 

 month there is a fresh progeny of these 

 insects. Were they not devoured by swal- 

 m3 



