44$ THE COMMON GNAT* 



suckers of a pump, and cause the blood to ascend. 

 The insect injects a small quantity of liquid into 

 the wound, by which the blood is made more fluid. 

 The animal swells, grows red, and does not quit its 

 hold till it has gorged itself. The liquor it has in- 

 jected causes, by its fermenting, a disagreeable! 

 itching, which may be removed by volatile alkali, 

 or by immediately rubbing and washing the place 

 with cold water*. — We are also told that at night 

 to rub the part affected with fuller's earth and wa- 

 ter will lessen the inflammation. 



Gnats are said sometimes to shine in the dark. 



The Musqueto-fly is nothing more than a large va- 

 riety of the Common Gnat, which is very common 

 in the woody and marshy parts of all hot climates. 

 It also abounds, during their short summer, through- 

 out Lapland, Norway, and Finland, and other coun- 

 tries equally near the Pole. 



It is the female only that bites and sucks the 

 blood ; and this is so severe as to swell and blister 

 the skin in a most violent manner, and sometimes 

 even to leave obstinate sores. The Musquetoes 

 are found in such swarms, in the woods, that who- 

 ever enters them is sure to have his face covered, 

 and he is scarcely able to see his way before him. 

 A swelling and disagreeable itching immediately 

 follows the puncture, and these are succeeded by 

 small white ulcers ; so that the face of a person 



* Barbut's Gen. Insect. 306. 



