THE GNAT. 559 



Genus V" Cukx, The Gnat, 



"The Infecls of this tribe are extremely numerous, anc) 

 laniverfally known, by the uneafmefs they occaflon. The 

 Svoedijh natural id only enumerates ^^x^w fpecies ; but 

 there are fome places in America where a number of nor- 

 defcripts might certainly be found. The genus is dif- 

 criminated by the mouth, which confifts of a flexible 

 foeath, inclofing bridles pointed like flings. The an- 

 tennae of the males are filiform, thofe of the females 

 feathered *. 



In their larva ftate, thefe aniraals are aquatic : During 

 the greater part of fummer, all flagnated waters are full 

 of their fmall worms, hanging with their heads down- 

 wards, while their hinder parts reach the furface of the 

 water. In this date, the digmata, or organs of refpira- 

 ticn, are fituated near the anus ; and hence the reafon 

 "why thefe parts are frequently feen within reach of the 

 atmofphcre. It is in this date, too, the gnat is provided 

 with fmali fins on its fides, to enable it to go in queft of 

 food. 



After having remained in the date of larva for near 

 o 



tw^enty days, thefe infe£ls are transformed into chryfalids, 

 in which all the limbs of the winged gnat are didinguifi - 

 able through the diaphanous robe with which they ere 

 then flirouded. After remaining three or four dfjs 

 3 Y 2 wrapped 



• Syft. Nat, p. icaz,. 



