54 POND LIFE 



costs, even though its " wouldn't be " prey be flourishing a 

 tennis-racquet in one hand and a hair-brush in the other, 

 imbibes such a feeling of inferiority, that it is not surprising 

 that human beings greatly dislike it. Although the fact is 

 not generally realised, there are ten or more species of mos- 

 quitoes in our delightful country. In fact the common gnat 

 " the biter " is a mosquito pure and simple. Fortunately 

 no parasite detrimental to the health of human beings is 

 carried by the British species ; although their relations of the 

 tropics are well-known carriers of many very serious diseases. 



To make the gnat even more objectionable we are told the 

 high-pitched buzz is a sign of great happiness and means 

 "high expectations." In fact the gnat might be said to be 

 licking its lips, in preparation for the enormous meal await- 

 ing it. 



It may come as some relief to the reader to know that only 

 one sex has a taste for human blood. The female head is 

 equipped with a set of surgical instruments, a pair of lancets, 

 wedges, saws, and lastly a drinking tube. Settling, may be 

 on the ear, or some other particularly tender spot of its victim, 

 it deftly makes an incision, and finding that the hole is not 

 large enough to allow the drinking tube to enter, enlarges it 

 by means of the saw or wedge. Then having made matters 

 satisfactory, in goes the tube, and out goes the " aqua of life." 

 Out of fairness to the operator it must be remarked that the 

 pain and swelling is not due to any poison, maliciously in- 

 jected, but is the result of the irritation produced by the 

 operation. It is therefore clear to those who read the above, 

 that gnats neither bite nor sting, but that the obtaining of 

 the meal is a surgical operation. The male is perfectly harm- 

 less, and is a pretty little insect, on account of the well- 

 fringed antennae, which resemble egret plumes. The male 

 gnats on hatching spend most of their time dancing, sometimes 

 in such numbers as to form huge crowds of insects. The 

 females fly away in search of a suitable spot for egg-laying, 

 and it is possible that it is for this purpose that they often 

 enter our dwellings. 



It can only be surmised that the sight of man has a demoral- 

 ising effect, for we seldom, if ever, find gnats' eggs in our 

 wash basins or jugs, yet we often experience a painful swell- 

 ing, the result of her ladyship's attentions during the early 

 hours of the morning. If this book were devoted to gnats, or 

 to Diptera, we might spend much time in the study of these 

 interesting insects. For their habits, peculiarities, and histories 

 are intensely interesting. 



