Auditory Apparatus of the Culex mosquito. 361 



hypothesis that the antennal fibrils are the auditory organs of 

 the mosquito, I cannot do better than quote tlie following from 

 Dr. Johnston's paper : — 



" While bearing in mind the difference between feeling a noise 

 and perceiving a vibration, we may safely assume with Carus — 

 for a great number of insects at least — that whenever true audi- 

 tory organs arc developed in them, their seat is to be found in 

 the neighbourhood of the antenwe. That these parts themselves 

 are in some instances concerned in collecting and transmitting 

 sonorous vibrations, we hold as established by the observations 

 we have made, particularly upon the Culex mos(juito; while wc 

 believe, as Newport has asserted in general terms, that they serve 

 also as tactile organs. 



''The male mosquito differs considerably, as is well known, 

 from the female, his body being smaller and of a darker colour, 

 and his head furnished with antennce and palpi in a state of 

 greater development (see figure). Notwithstanding the fitness 

 of his organs for predatory purposes, he is timid, seldom entering 

 dwellings or annoying man, but restricts himself to damp and 

 foul places, especially sinks and privies. The female, on the 

 other hand, gives greater extension to her flight, and, attacking 

 our race, is the occasion of no inconsiderable disturbance and 

 vexation during the summer and autumn months. 



"The head of the male mosquito, about 0'G7 milliin. wide, is 



