THE GNAT. 
539 
Genus V. — Culex. The Gnat. 
The infers of this tribe are extremely numerous, and 
univerfally known, by the uneafmefs they occafion. The 
Swedi/h naturalift only enumerates feven fpecies ; but 
there are fome places in America where a number of nor- 
defcripts might certainly be found. The genus is dif- 
criminated by the mouth, which confifls of a flexible 
fbeath, inclofing bridles pointed like flings. The an- 
tenna; of the males are filiform, thofe of the females 
feathered *. 
In their larva date, thefe animals are aquatic : During 
the greater part of fummer, all ftagnated waters are full 
of their fmall worms, hanging with their heads down- 
wards, while their hinder parts reach the furiace of the 
water. In this ftate, the ftigmata, or organs of refpira- 
tion, are fituated near the anus ; and hence the reafon 
why thefe parts are frequently feen within reach of the 
atmofphcre. It is in this date, too, the gnat is provided 
with fmall fins on its fides, to enable it to go in queft of 
food. 
After having remained in the flate of larva for near 
twenty days, thefe infefts are transformed into chryfalids, 
in which all the limbs of the winged gnat are diflinguiir- 
able through the diaphanous robe with which they are 
then fluouded. After remaining three or four dry? 
3 Y 2 wrapi e<J 
* Syft. Nat. p. 1003 . 
