242 OUR HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



dissecting a large alligator, eleven feet long, the odour 

 of which infected all the surrounding atmosphere, he and 

 his assistants were fearfully stung. From the method 

 of life of the mosquito, especially in its early stages, it 

 is clear that it would be next to impossible to trans- 

 port them accidentally, except as perfect insects, from 

 one country to another, across large tracts of ocean ; and 

 the reports that are sometimes spread of mosquitoes 

 appearing in hotels in this country frequented by 

 Americans need to be received with great caution. 

 Probably, in most instances, investigation would show 

 that they were simply English gnats rather more 

 virulent than usual, which had been propagated in 

 some neighbouring cistern or pond. 



Opinions have differed as to the cause of the swelling 

 and pain resulting from a gnat or mosquito bite. Some 

 have maintained, in accordance with what has always 

 been the popular belief, that effects of such magnitude 

 could not be produced without the introduction of a 

 poisonous fluid, though they have failed to show that 

 any apparatus exists which would be capable of com- 

 pletely fulfilling such a function. Though this poisonous 

 fluid is itself conjectural, a purpose has been assigned to 

 it, viz., that of rendering the blood more liquid, so that 

 it may the more easily be sucked up. And that some 

 such function would have to be assumed is tolerably 

 certain, since the poison could hardly be regarded merely 

 as an implement of offence, and consequently an advan- 

 tage to its possessor. It seems scarcely open to question 

 that, apart from some such function for the poison as 

 above, the insects could far more easily obtain the blood 

 they covet, and far less precautions would be taken 

 against them, if they did not produce any painful results, 

 and thus rouse the hostility of their victims ; and that, 



