Geographical Distribution of Culicidae. 
77 
THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF CULICIDAE, 
The family Culicidae is cosmopolitan. ISTo matter whether we 
go into the Arctic Circle or to the Tropics, we find Culicidae in 
abundance, and life often made a misery by the vicious and per¬ 
sistent attacks of these insect pests. Although species are few 
in the Arctic Circle and cold regions bordering it, their numbers 
are often immense. In C. F. Hall’s second Arctic expedition 
mosquitoes appeared in July in extraordinary abundance. From 
Greenland, Nansen writes : “ Whole clouds of these bloodthirsty 
demons swooped upon my face and hands, the latter being at 
once covered with what might well have passed for rough 
woollen gloves.” Then, after describing how they were pursued 
until nearly driven to frenzy by their attacks, he says—- 
“ Greenland is one of the countries of the world which is most 
visited by this plague.” * In Lapland and other European 
countries they form a veritable scourge; while in the North-West 
Provinces of America they appear in equal numbers and with 
equal ferocity, in some districts causing whole herds of horses 
and stock to stampede, so venomous are their bites, whilst many 
of the natives constantly move their habitations and herds so as 
to escape these dreaded pests. Judging from accounts given by 
travellers, I should say the mosquito is a more terrible nuisance 
in cold regions than in the tropics, but the following quotation 
will show how they treat travellers in hot climates. 
“For some nights,” writes 1)’ Albertis f from New Guinea, 
“ we have not been able to sleep, owing to mosquitoes and sand¬ 
flies. These small and almost microscopic insects are terrible 
enemies and put us to real torture. My people to defend them¬ 
selves against their attacks sleep in an open place surrounded 
by great smoky fires.” And again from the same country he 
writes, “ Sand flies and mosquitoes torment us from morning 
until night.” 
Similar accounts could be given from most countries in the 
tropics, whilst even in temperate climes they at certain times 
and in certain places, such as the Alps, S. Norway, and parts of 
Italy, and even now and then in our own country, cause a good 
deal of suffering. Culicidae, then, with the exception, it seems, 
* “The First Crossing of Greenland,” vol. i. p. 397. 
f “ New Guinea,” by L. M. I)’Albertis, 1881, vol. i. p. 272, and ii. p. 242. 
