9 8 
and possibly the extreme anterior portion of the 
abdomen will appear transparent (oesophageal diver¬ 
ticulum, containing gas) (Fig. 37). 
To Dissect Out the Mid-Gut (Stomach) 
1. Pull off, with forceps, the legs and wings. 
2. Place the mosquito in a drop of salt solution 
on a slide, and place the slide on a light background. 
Turn the mosquito upon its back and with a 
needle make a nick in the chitin on both sides as near 
the ‘ tail ’ end as possible. Now place one needle on 
the thorax and the other on the extreme end and pull 
gently. 
3. After separating the segments a very short 
distance, remove the preparation to a dark background. 
Again draw apart and note the white viscera stretching 
between them. Make steady traction until a central 
rather transparent body is alone left between the two 
portions of abdomen. 
Cut across the anterior attachments of the 
mid-gut. 
4. Draw the body of the mosquito away from 
the separated segments ; the mid-gut and sundry 
other viscera will be left attached to the latter floating 
in the salt solution. 
