35 



the water. Its large head and thorax act as a weight to keep it in position. The pupa 

 or nymph is active also and moves with a succession of jerks, and by means of two swim- 

 ming leaves, or paddles, placed at the end of the abdomen. One month suffices to carry 

 the mosquito through its preliminary stages. The pupa rises to the surface ; the skin 

 divides, and the perfect insect steps out, using the empty case as a raft until its wings, 

 having been shaken out and dried, are in a condition for flight. 



It is the female mosquito only that attacks us. Fig. 19 represents the female, 

 magnified ; and Fig. 20 the mouth parts much enlarged. The weapon she uses consists 

 of a number of lancets, which, compressed in the wound they make, form a tube through 

 which the blood is drawn. The shrill warning of its approach which the creature gives is 

 caused by the rapid vibration of its wings. 



The mosquito, however troublesome, is doubtless a beneficial insect. Its larvae 

 consume decaying matter which would generate miasma and the perfect insects do then- 

 best to drive men from unhealthy localities. As a tract of country is made fit by thorough 

 drainage, for human habitation, they disappear. Drainage is the great remedy against 

 them. Wire doors and blinds will keep them out of the house, and the application of a 

 little salt and water will allay the irritation of the wounds they give. As a preventive 

 against their bite [and against those of the Black Fly, (Simulium molestum which is found 

 in Company with them] woodmen and tourists make use of pennyroyal, oil of tar and 

 carbolic ointments. 



3. The Bed Bug, (Acanthia lectularia) belongs to the family Membranacei in the order 

 Hemiptera. This disgusting creature finds its way, unexpectedly, to new quarters. It is 

 sometimes brought in the clothing after a journey. It is sometimes introduced in parcels 

 and in second hand books, etc. It is well to know its history, and how to deal with it. 

 When I was a boy it was known in the " Home Counties " as the " London Bug " ; and 

 housekeepers in those parts examined suspiciously all packages from London. Southall, 

 who wrote 150 years ago, tells us that the creature was brought over from America in 

 timber for the re-building of the city after the great fire of 1666. We learn from other 

 sources that the bug was not known in Europe previous to that event. This may well 

 have been, for trade with America had been carried on for many years before the fire 

 occurred. But, probably, the main colony was introduced in the way that Southall says. 

 The name bug is an old word signifying a terror. Psalm xci, 5, in the early versions of 

 the Scriptures reads "Thou shall not be afraid of any bugge by night." 



The female bed-bxig lays her eggs, about fifty in number, in crevices. They are oval, 

 small and white, and are protected by a coating of varnish. They hatch in about three 

 weeks, and in three months the young attain their full size. There are four broods in 

 a year. The full grown bug is two-and-a half lines in length, rust-red in colour, flat and 

 wingless. Its abdomen is disproportionately large. Its antennae are four-jointed and its 

 beak has a three-jointed labium, or sheath. 



To keep the house clear of this pest extreme cleanliness is necessary. The walls of 

 bed-rooms should be lime-washed or painted — not papered. Iron bedsteads are preferable 

 to wooden ones. The joints of wooden bedsteads should be washed with a solution of 

 hi-chloride of Mercury. It can be applied with a paint-brush or a feather. The floors 

 should be often washed with scalding water. To eradicate bugs when they have well 

 established themselves, rooms should be well fumigated with brimstone. The modus 

 operandi is thus given by Dr. Lintner, State Entomologist of New York, in his Second 

 Annual Report, page 18 : — " Place in the centre of the room a dish containing about four 

 ounces of brimstone, within a large vessel, so that the possible overflowing of the burning 

 mass may not injure the carpet or set fire to the floor. After removing from the room 

 all such metallic surfaces as might be affected by the fumes, close every aperture, even 

 the key-holes, and set fire to the brimstone. When four or five hours have elapsed the 

 room may be entered and the windows opened for a thorough airing." 



4. The Louse (Pediculus humani capitis) belongs to the family Pediculina, in the order 

 Bemiptera. This insect is quite as disgusting and unwelcome as the last described. 

 Yet, despite the care of fond mothers and careful nurses, it does occasionally find its way 



