THE MOSQUITO 51 



and Anopheles is in regard to the position 

 assumed by the insects when they rest. In 

 Anopheles the proboscis and body are 

 almost in one Hne, and the axis of the body 

 is at an angle with the surface upon which it 

 rests. Culex, on the other hand, has its pro- 

 boscis at a slight angle with its body, and 

 its body is almost parallel to the surface 

 upon which it is perching. Culex has a much 

 more hump-backed appearance than Anopheles^ 

 and its legs are considerably shorter and 

 stouter. The insect generally rests upon four 

 out of six legs; in the former case the hinder 

 pair are held out and curved upwards. The 

 hind legs not infrequently serve as a test for 

 food. When feeding upon sweetened milk 

 or fruit, the moment the hind leg touches the 

 fluid or juice the insect will wheel round and 

 at once begin to feed. 



Anopheles maculipennis is very widely 

 distributed, and it has been recorded from 

 most parts of North America and Europe, and 

 from many parts of Asia. Probably the species 

 is much more widely distributed than we have 

 any record, but individuals do not wander very 

 far, of their own accord, from the breeding- 

 places, though they may be dispersed by the 

 wind. Cases are known where they have been 

 blown as far as ten or even twenty miles ; and 

 in camping in Africa it is always well to keep to 



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