184 



MOSQUITOES. 



eyes occupying a large part of the surface, and nearly meet- 

 ing on the top of the head. Out of the forehead, so to speak, 

 grow the long, delicate, hairy antennae (a), and just below 

 arises the long beak which consists of bristle-like maxillae 

 {mx with their palpi, mj}) and mandibles {rn), and the single 

 hair-like labrum, (labrum-epipharynx (ir-e) and hj^DO- 



^/^/^ 



Fig. 152. — Head of mosquito (several species, males and females); ff, anteniiEe; 

 wi.T, maxill,-e; mp, maxillarj' palpi; //*. mandibles; //-», labrum-epipharynx; /;, hj-po- 

 pharynx; I, labium. Greatlj' enlarged. Original. 



phar3mx (A), these five bristle-like organs being laid in the 

 hollowed labium (/). Thus massed into a single awl-like 

 beak, the mosquito, without any apparent effort, thrusts 

 them all except the labium into the flesh. Her hind body 

 may be seen filling with the red blood, until it cries quits, and 

 the insect^ withdraws its sting and flies sluggishly awa3% In 

 a moment the wounded part itches slightly, though a very 



