Of the G n a 'To 205 
fame Figure as the Male's, has Hairs not 
hear fo long, and the fecond Pair is fhorter 
than the firft by at leafl three Parts in four. 
The Piercer, Sting, or Sucker, is a Cafe 
covered with long Scales, that lies concealed 
under the * Gnat ’s Throat when not made 
ufe of. The Side opens, and four Darts are 
thrufl out thence occaiionally ; one where¬ 
of (minute as it is) ferves for a Sheath to 
the other three. The Sides of them are ex¬ 
tremely fharp, and they are barbed or in¬ 
dented towards the Point, whofe Finenefs is 
inexpreflible, and fcarcely to be difcerned by* 
the greatefl Magnifier. When thefe Darts 
are thrufc into the Flefh of Animals, either 
fucceflively or in Conjunction, the Blood 
and Humours of the adjacent Parts muff 
flow to and caufe a Tumour about the 
Wound, whofe little Orifice being clofed up 
by the Comprefiion of the external Air, can 
afford them no Outlet. When a Gnat finds 
any tender juicy Fruits or Liquors, fhe fucks, 
up what fhe likes through the outer Cafe, 
without uling the Darts at all: but if it is 
Flefh that refills her Efforts, fhe flings very 
feverely, then fheaths her Weapons in their 
Scabbard, and through them fucks up the 
Juices fhe finds there. The Pain they caufe 
* Vide Ef/. tf Nat ♦ Eng. i2tno. Edit. Yoi. I. p, 124. 
P 2 
