MOSQUITOES 69 



had been thrown out and now the family were wondering 

 where the mosquitoes were coming from. 



HOW FAR DO MOSQUITOES FLY? 



The answer to this question is an important one since 

 upon it depends the success of certain methods of exter- 

 mination. Owing to the careful observations of John B. 

 Smith, and his corps of workers, we are able to answer the 

 question with some degree of certainty. In the first place, 

 it is held that Anopheles mosquitoes do not fly far 

 probably not more than half to three-quarters of a mile 

 and usually not nearly so far. On the other hand, cer- 

 tain saltwater mosquitoes fly many miles, especially when 

 aided by a strong wind. Fortunately, these do not 

 carry disease so far as we know. 



The domestic mosquitoes, Culex, under ordinary con- 

 ditions, do not fly far from their breeding places. The 

 yellow fever mosquito is essentially a domestic one and 

 breeds near dwelling-houses. 



Miss Mitchell says that "the mass of evidence by 

 experts is to the effect that the greater number of species 

 are not in the habit of flying more than two hundred 

 yards to a quarter of a mile, and that most places, not 

 situated near a salt marsh, will be found to be locally 

 infested. ... If mosquitoes, not the marsh species, 

 are plentiful in a city, the chances are that the breeding 

 place is near by." 



THE BITE OF A MOSQUITO 



The beak of a mosquito is made up of six bristle-like 

 or lance-like organs inclosed in a sheath. This sheath 



