12 
It is scarcely necessary to add that each species should be 
kept distinct, in a separate tube. 
Observations on Habits, Distribution, &c. 
Detailed observations on the habits, distribution, seasonal 
occurrence, &c., of mosquitoes will always be useful, pro- 
vided that care is taken to note the species to which they 
apply — the species being distinguished by means of letters 
or numbers attached to the pins of the specimens. 
While it is certain that in a natural state only an infini- 
tesimally small proportion of all the mosquitoes that come 
into existence can possibly taste the blood of a warm-blooded 
animal, it is reasonable to suppose that primitively all 
Culicidte fed upon the juices of plants. Indeed, it has been 
stated* that at the present day some species are still exclu- 
sively vegetarian in both sexes ; that in others, while the 
males are vegetarian, the females suck animal blood — in 
some species only exceptionally, in others habitually ; and, 
finally, that there are species in which hoth sexes suck 
animal blood (this is said to be the case in an Egyptian 
species and in two Italian ones ; it has also been observed in 
two species found in Madagascar, and has been noticed at 
Bannu, N. India) . 
Investigators in countries infested by mosquitoes will 
therefore, render especially valuable assistance by endeavour- 
ing, by means of their OAvn obserA'^ations, to supply answers 
to the folloAving questions : — 
1. Are there any species of mosquitoes that subsist 
wholly or in part on the juices of plants (or fruits) ? 
If so, Avhich are the species of mosquitoes in question, 
and on Avhat plants do they feed ? 
2. In the species (if any) in Avhich this mode of 
feeding occurs, is it confined to the male alone, or 
* Vide, Ficalbi oji. cit., p. 293. 
