62 
FINDING NATURE’S TREASURES 
them. What is the best way to kill mosquitoes, Uncle 
Jack?” 
“While they are living in the water, they will soon die 
if they cannot get air,” explained Uncle Jack. “They 
must come up for it, like you do when you are diving. 
Now, if you put a little oil on the top of the water, it 
gets into the breathing holes in their tails, and keeps out 
the air. So men put oil on ponds where there are wiggle- 
tails, and soon no more mosquitoes come from those 
places.” 
“I wish the places where these mosquitoes came from 
had been oiled,” exclaimed Buddy, as he slapped his legs 
again. 
“There would not be many here if you would turn 
upside down all the old cans and dishes around the house. 
If there is too much water for you to empty, pour a 
little oil in it. Wiggle-tails should not be allowed to live, 
for after a while they become mosquitoes and fly away. 
The bites of mosquitoes annoy people, and may cause 
them to have fevers. That is the way we get malaria.” 
“Let's look for wiggle-tails tomorrow, Buddy,” sug¬ 
gested Marylee, “and pour oil on the water.” 
“All right. We'll kill everyone we find,” replied 
Buddy. 
