54 => 
THE GNAT. 
wrapped up in this fpiral manner, they become gnats, and 
afcend into a new element. No fooner does the chryfalis 
reach the furtace of the water, than the infect with its 
head burfts the fhell, which then ferves it for a boat, of 
which the wings are the fails. If in this critical moment 
a breeze arife, it proves to tliefe pigmy failors a dreadful 
hurricane ; for it overfets the little bark, and the infect 
not being j'et difengaged fropr it, fuflfers a fatal fliipwreck. 
If, however, the weather prove calm, the gnat makes a 
more profperous voyage : Having time to dry his wings 
before leaving the boat, he is enabled to mount into the 
air; where, contemptible as he may feem, he foon be- 
comes the inveterate tormentor of the lords of the crea- 
tion *. 
Culex cincrcus f. This fpecies is the moft numerous 
and common ; it is called by the Swedes Mygg J, a name 
jt has alio received in forne parts of Britain. The body 
is of an oblong iliape, and the colour is cinereous. It is 
this fpecies which, towards evening, is fo troublefome to 
man and other animals. Its efforts are far more feeble 
and temporary than thofe of the mufouito in North Ame- 
rica , where the inhabitants are obliged to have their beds 
clofe hung with a thin cloth, called Mufquito Curtains, 
to prevent their intrufion. 
* Reaumur, Tome IV. f Fauna Swecica. 
| Vide Flora Lapponica, p. 363, & Blankner, p. 171. 
