MOSQUITOS. 



Fig. 121. MOSQUITO. 



CHAPTER L, 



SHAKESPEARE says that " Gnats are unnoticed where- 

 soe'er they fly." But this does not apply to the Culex 

 pipiens. This variety of gnat is very much noticed 

 wherever he flies, or rather wherever he perches. 

 Indeed, the new arrivals from England talk about 

 little else. 



I do not know whether the Mosquito has 

 hitherto been regarded as a test of character ; but 

 it has often occurred to me that the student of 

 human nature might derive both entertainment and 

 instruction from observing the effect of a Mosquito- 

 bite upon persons of different idiosyncrasy, thus : 



The intrepid man hears the buzz without quailing. 



The irascible man slaps his own face, in the 

 vain hope of crushing one. 



The vindictive man kills a great number and 

 arranges their bodies in a row. 



T\\Q fussy man goes about with a bottle of liquid 

 ammonia. 



