50 DIPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 



(syn. nigripcs, according to Theobald); C. uoiiorosus, Meig. ; C. 

 piDigois ipipicns, fatigaiis) ; C. conadciisis, Theob. ; C. cantans, Meig.; 

 C. triseriatus, Say; C. rcstitans, Theob.; C. dyari, Coq. ; Grabliauiio 

 cnrrici, Coq.; Sayoinyia pluniicornis, Fab.; Aedes smithii, Coq.; 

 Tacniorhynchns pcrturbans, Walk.; A punctipcnnis, Say; Anopheles 

 iiiaciilipcnnis {quadriniacidata) , Meig. 



The last is the malaria bearer, yet it must not be supposed that it 

 is a menace in the state, for we have practically no malaria here, and 

 this mosquito has to bite an organism affected with malaria before it 

 can transmit the disease. 



In 1903 the writer, when in camp on Basswood Lake, St. Louis 

 county, allowed many of these insects (.-J. iiiaciilipcnnis) to bite him, in 

 order to obtain some idea of the time required by this species to digest a 

 full meal. After from 19 to 68 hours, showing great variation in 

 individual cases, their abdomens had shrunk to their normal size, 

 and they apparently were ready for business again, though they could 

 not be induced to bite a second time. In this connection it may be 

 stated as a fact, that the old idea that a mosquito can bite but once 

 has been found to be wrong. AnopJicIcs does not hurt in biting as 

 much as Culc.v, at least, that has been the writer's experience, there 

 being but little or no pain when the insect was operating. 



Since 1880 it has been known that malaria is due to the presence 

 of a small organism in the blood, a microscopic animal, not a plant, 

 attacking the red corpuscles. In 1882 Dr. A. F. A. King of Wash- 

 ington read a paper before the Philosophical Society, advancing strong 

 arguments as proof that this disease might be distributed by mos- 

 quitoes. Acting largely upon his ideas, many scientists at once began 

 to work along the lines indicated in his suggestions. MacCullam, 

 of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, was one of the most im- 

 portant contributors to our knowledge upon this point, but the work 

 was by no means confined to that college nor to the Ignited States. 

 It was not, however, until several years after Dr. King's presentation 

 in 1882 that the important fact, i. e., that malaria could not be trans- 

 mitted naturally from one individual to another except through the 

 bite of a mosquito was established, Anopheles being the only one, as 

 far as we know, which transmits it. 



The vital activities of the micro-organism referred to as attacking 

 the red corpucles may be checked by quinine. If not checked by 



