Vili INTRODUCTION. 
enumerated from Central America, seven of these being treated as new; but many 
more must inhabit the region. 
The Pelogonide, by some authors treated as a section of the Gelastocoride 
(=Galgulide, olim), is the first family of the division Cryptocerata. The various 
species are superficially very like the Saldide and have the same habits. Four are 
now known from within our limits, three of them being described as new. 
The Gelastocoride (a term recently applied to the Galgulide, on account of the 
name Galgulus, from which it is derived, being long preoccupied in Aves) are 
particularly abundant in Central America, both genera being characteristic of the 
region. As already noted, the species of Gelastocoris (Galgulus) have much the 
appearance of small Batrachians, and they also have the power of leaping. Like 
Mononyz, they live on the banks of lakes and streams. For the two genera ten species 
are enumerated, but the new ones are not described, a monograph of the genus 
Gelastocoris being in course of preparation by Mons. A. L. Montandon of Bucarest. 
The Nepide is a family of very limited extent, including the typical genus Mepa 
(the well-known ‘“ water-scorpion ”), Ranatra, and a few allied forms. In Tropical 
America Nepa is replaced by Curicta, with two species in our region, where Ranatra 
has also two representatives. 
The Naucoride are fairly numerous in Central America, but very little material has 
been obtained by us. These insects have, however, during recent years received a 
good deal of attention from M. Montandon, who has examined or described all the 
species contained in the principal continental museums, and the types of most of the 
Central-American ones have been lent us for figuring. Some of the species live in 
stagnant, others in fresh water. Nineteen are here recorded, one only being new. 
The Belostomide include the largest known forms of Heteroptera, some specimens 
of the typical genus Belostoma, B. grande, measuring over four inches in length. Five 
genera and thirteen species are enumerated from Central America, all previously 
described. Most of the specimens in collections, at least of the genus Belostoma, 
appear to have been attracted to light, comparatively few, apparently, having been 
taken with the water-net. In the United States they are known by the name of 
“ electric-light bugs.” | a | _ 
