The Gnat 
THE GNAT 
The Gnat is the popular name of a genus of 
insects — “ Culicidae ” (from the Latin 
“ Culex,” a gnat), belonging to the order of 
dipteral or two-winged insects, and consisting 
of about 150 known species, being found very 
nearly all the world over, even as far North 
as the Polar regions. The mouth parts 
of the insect are very complicated, being 
nearly half the length of its total size. 
The principal part of this organ forms a 
long proboscis, constructed, apparently, 
for the purpose of piercing the skin of 
animals and sucking their blood. This 
proboscis is provided with needle-like 
lancets, which are barbed at the tips. A 
view of this wondrous weapon, when highly 
magnified, causes one to cease marvelling 
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