34 



THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. 



Microscopical. 



The Microscope is a delightful source of 

 instruction, especially when in the hands of 

 an expert. The minutce of this world are 

 through it clearly presented to our view. 

 When the instrument is properly worked by an 

 intelligent head of a family, the information 

 and pleasure derived from it is unbounded. 

 Having clever microscopists in Canada, it is 

 our wish to encourage their investigations, and 

 we therefore solicit communications regarding 

 new discoveries. Mr. Murphy's microscopical 

 investigations on the structure of the mos- 

 quito's proboscis should induce others to follow 

 correct manipulation. We cannot publish what 

 has been microscopically examined in a hurry ; 

 an object must be repeatedly and thoroughly 

 tested, and its structure properly defined by 

 frequent examinations in order to claim our 

 attention. Furthermore, in describing minute 

 forms, it will be necessary to apply proper 

 names to their several parts. It is not correct 

 to call the proboscis of a Dipterous fly (the 

 mosquito) a sting, as the latter organ does not 

 occur in the two-winged flies. Bees and wasps 

 (four-winged flies) are stinging insects. 



THE MOSQUITO'S PROBOSCIS. 



It is an interesting question how a creature 

 as small as the mosquito, and so very light that 

 the slightest breeze will blow him away, can 

 hold on to his prey with sufficient tenacity to 

 force through a hard epidermis, and into solid 

 flesh, his very delicate and perfect instruments. 

 A careful examination of his organs, and 

 repeated observation of the insect while feed- 

 ing, by Mr. Edward Murphy of Montreal, (who 

 has dissected and mounted a large number of 

 these little creatures, and has paid particular 

 attention to their habits) have brought to light 

 the following particulars, which are copied from 

 his extensive notes on the subject. 



As in all the " blood-sucking " insects there 

 is a wonderful modification of the mandibulate 



mouth. A prolongation of the labium forms 

 a proboscis, covered with minute scales; 

 having a sort of muscular contraction a short 

 distance from the point, which not only holds 

 all the contained organs into a compact body 

 for insertion, but also forms a sort of "clean- 

 ing " organ, through which they can be drawn. 

 When the instruments are inserted into the 

 flesh, this proboscis is pushed back, bending 

 towards the top, at an angle more or less acute, 

 and having something the appearance of a leg 

 with a bent joint. 



The mandibles have been modified into a pair 

 of beautiful saws, whose sharp teeth, generally 

 ten in number, small at the point of the instru- 

 ment, and increasing in size towards the mouth, 

 and set backwards, not only act as cutting tools, 

 but from their barbed shape, give the creature 

 the " purchase" necessary to hold him to his 

 prey. A careful observation of the insect whilst 

 feeding, shows him pulling the saw on one side 

 as he pushes it on the other. The side he pulls 

 is the side that cuts. Thus the action that in- 

 creases the depth and size of the wound, also 

 gives him the necessary " purchase " to enable 

 him to push in the opposite saw. 



Between these saws and the central tube the 

 maxillse are modified into a pair of irritators : 

 possibly used also to prevent any solid matter 

 of too large dimensions entering the tube. 



The tube, a modification of the tongue, is 

 horny in its structure, sharp pointed and solid 

 at the end ; so that it may be pressed firmly 

 against the bottom of the wound, without risk 

 of being stopped up : the blood flowing through 

 a hole like the eye of a needle, which passes 

 through the tube, at a distance from the point 

 equal to about the diameter of the tube. 



MONTREAL BRANCH ENTOMOLOGICAL 

 SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



The Eighty-Second meeting of this Society 

 was held on the 12th April last, at the residence 

 of H. H. Lyman, Esquire. Three gentlemen 

 were proposed for membership, and some in- 

 teresting notes of the early appearance of insects 



