THE MOSQUITO. 308

titled to great respect. Origen and Jerome also concur in
this view, which has been adopted by many modern writers,
as Gesenius and Boothroyd. Scarcely any insect could be
found which would so truly come under the denomination
of a “plague,” or form so great a scourge, as these little
creatures, whose insatiable thirst for blood, and the painful
nature of their attacks, rendering sleep quite impossible,
are only fully known in hotter climates than ours. The
only method of procuring rest is by using mosquito-cur-
tains; and it is well known that the ancient Egyptians
adopted this plan. Herodotus mentions that the inhabi-
tants of Lower Egypt used their fishing-nets for this pur-
pose, as gnats and flies will not pass through even coarse
netting. Travellers concur in declaring, that there is no
country where the mosquito is so numerous, or their bite so
painful, as in Egypt; and their god, Baalzebub, the “ god
of flies,” was doubtless the deity propitiated when they were
suffering under this infliction. The Egyptian mosquito is
small, ash-coloured, with white spots on the legs.

Many commentators, however, prefer our authorized
translation, ‘Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod,
and smote the dust of the earth, and it became dice in
man and in beast.” These disgusting creatures certainly