90 
A Monograph of Culicidae. 
t 
observed by Noe and Grassi to develop in Anopheles maculipennis. 
This hypothesis was instituted by Low. According to the two 
former observers, the distribution of canine Jilariasis corresponds 
with the geographical distribution of malaria and Anopheles in 
Italy. 
Lastly, a word as to other Culicidae besides Culex and Ano¬ 
pheles. At present I am not aware that any experiments with 
malaria have been carried out with such genera as Psorophora, 
Uranotaenia, or the new genera Wyeomyia , Deinocerites , &c., all 
of which bite somewhat severely. 
There is considerable difference in some of these genera in 
regard to structure, and they, or some of them, may possibly 
offer the same feeding-ground for malarial germs as Anopheles. 
In any case they are worth experimenting with. 
One point that has struck me with regard to the absence of 
malarial germs in Culex is that the saliva, which I have found 
to be acid, may affect them. In a few experiments I have 
conducted with Anopheles I could get no marked reaction from 
the saliva, but in Culex there was a distinctly acid reaction. 
This is even more clearly seen in Panoplites titillans, Wlk., 
which has extremely acid saliva, so I am informed by Dr. Lutz. 
It may be that the saliva influences the malarial germs, and, 
varying in intensity in each species, may be not unsuitable for 
the existence of Proteosoma in C. fatigans. 
The part possibly played by Culicidae in spreading such 
diseases as Anthrax , &c., will be found mentioned in Dr. Nuttall’s 
valuable monograph previously quoted. 
THE TERM “ MOSQUITO.” 
H 
The term mosquito is the diminutive of the Spanish “ mosca,’ 
a fly. It is also a common Portuguese word. 
The spelling varies a good deal. Some authors spell it “mus- 
quito ” ; in older works it is often in the form “ musketo,” and, 
again, “ musquetoe.” But the generally accepted etymology is 
“ mosquito.” In Russia they are spoken of as “ camari ” ; in 
Italy as “ zanzare ” or “ zanzaroni ” ; the French speak of them 
as “ moustiques,” “ maringouin,” or “ cousin”; the Germans as 
“ Stechmiicken ” ; whilst in our own country they are generally 
called “gnats.” In America, besides being called “mosquitoes,” 
they are spoken of as “ gallinippers.” 
