THE DALADER ACUTICOSTA. 



431 



In the first section of the Heteroptera, the species are aquatic and predaceous, some being 

 very quick and active in the water, and others slow, but yet fierce and voracious, and obtain- 

 ing by craft the prey which the others win by fair chase. 



The first family of the Notonectidse, or Back-swimmers, is represented in Europe by many 

 species, of which the common Water Boatman (Notonecta glaucus) is the commonest. As 

 may be seen by reference to our full-page illustration, these insects are in the habit of lying 

 on the back and propelling themselves by means of the hind legs, which are very long, and 

 with the extremities expanded and fringed with stiff hairs, so as to resemble and do the duty 

 of oars. When lying on the back, the insect is wonderfully boat-like, the general shape much 

 resembling an Indian canoe. These creatures breathe atmospheric air, for which they are 

 forced occasionally to come to the surface, receiving it under their wings, just as is the case 

 with the water-beetles already described. When the air has been taken in, it is prevented 

 from escaping by means of the stiff hairs with which the segments are furnished. Any one 

 who has watched a pond in the summer-time must have noticed the Water Boatmen coming 

 to the surface, poking their tails out of the water, and then descending. The beak of all this 

 family is very sharp and strong, especially in the genus Corixa ; and a heedless captor will 

 often find a sudden pang shoot through his fingers, caused by the determined thrust of the 

 insect's sharp beak, which is armed with a pair of spear-like points, the edges of which are 

 deeply jagged. The wings of the Water Boatman are large and handsome, and the insects are 

 powerful on the wing. They fly by night. 



THE family of the Nepidse is represented in Europe by the common WATER SCORPION, a 

 very flat and leaf-like insect, which is found abundantly in slow running streams, ditches, and 

 ponds. It is figured in the same engraving. This insect derives its popular name from its 

 scorpion-like aspect, the two slender filaments appended to the abdomen representing the 

 sting-tipped tail, and the raptorial fore-legs resembling the claws. It is with these legs 

 that the Water Scorpion catches its prey, which, when once grasped in that hooked extremity, 

 is never able to make its escape. The beak is short, but very strong and sharp, and is not 

 bent under the thorax, as is the case with that of the water boatman. 



The Reduviidje comprise a great number of terrestrial insects, mostly exotic, but a few 

 being natives of Europe. Some of them are very large, and one species, the WHEEL-BUG 

 (Arilus serratus], is said to possess electric powers. Its popular 

 name is derived from the curious shape of the prothorax, which is 

 elevated and notched, so as to resemble a portion of a cog-wheel. 

 One species of the Wheel-bug (Redumuspersonatus\ inhabits houses, 

 and is said to feed upon the bed-bug. The larva and pupa of this 

 insect are difficult to discover, on account of their habit of envel 

 oping themselves in a coating of dust. The HAMMATOCERUS belongs 

 to this family. The insect is remarkable for the curious structure 

 of the second joint of the antennae, which consists of numerous 

 small articulations. The generic title is derived from two Greek 

 words, signifying Link- horned, and is given to the insect in allu- 

 sion to this peculiarity. 



WHEEL-BOG WITH LARVA. 



fiedmius perfonatue. (Natural size.) 



THE remarkable insect, Dalader acuticosta, belongs to the Mictidae, and is notable for two 

 peculiarities, namely, the flattened expansion of the third joint of the antennae, and the 

 singular width and flatness of the abdomen, which is so very leaf-like as to remind the 

 observer of the leaf-insect The abdomen is greatly expanded, and extends on either side far 

 beyond the wings, which, when opened, exhibit the curious formation of the parts below. 

 The thorax is also expanded and developed into a semi-lunar shape, the points being directed 

 forward. The third joint of the antennae is seen also toJbe expanded, flattened, and formed 

 into a kind of battledore shape. In color, this insect is very inconspicuous, being altogether 

 of a dull brown, like a withered oak -leaf It is a native of Northern India. 



