138 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



in general it distorts and discolors them and seems to tend to make them 

 greasy when they dry in the boxes. 



Corixas are to be found in running streams, clinging to the bottom, 

 and in quiet ponds, hiding among the vegetation. In the former situation, 

 it is an easy matter to follow them with the net ; in the latter, they are 

 taken by sweep'mg the grasses and weeds, dragging the net through them. 

 There are very many species of this genus, and they can be found abund- 

 antly wherever there is water, even though it be nothing more than a 

 temporary pool. The Notonectidte, Naucoridse and Belostomidse also can 

 be taken by sweeping the vegetation at the edges of quiet waters. The 

 first named family, however, can be captured by moving the net swiftly 

 just below the surface when the bugs are seen there. They are more 

 likely to be found close to the shore, and some species hide in the 

 tangles of roots and grasses growing from them. The genus Buenoa 

 ( = Anisops) is generally to be found floating below the surface in clear 

 spaces. Pelocoris femoratus, said to be our only Northern Naucorid, is 

 found in great abundance when present, hiding in the water-weeds. The 

 Belostomas, great and small, also seek similar situations, or else hide in 

 the mud in rather deep water. Nepa and Ranatra require more particular 

 treatment. The former is found in quite shallow water, not much over 

 two or three inches deep, concealed in the mud, or else in situations 

 where grasses grow out of the water, clinging together. Of course they 

 must either be taken out with the mud and twigs and dead leaves, among 

 which they lie hid, or else the grasses should be gone over several times 

 with the net to disturb them and make them float into it. Ranatra, on 

 the other hand, frequents deeper waters and clings to the stems of rushes 

 and grasses that rear themselves into the air, thrusting its breathing tube 

 through the surface. Here the net must be moved strongly back and 

 forth a number of times among the stem.s. This repeated sweeping is 

 necessary, as both these Waterbugs cling tightly to their supports and 

 they are not readily dislodged. The semi-aquatic Gelastocoridas wander 

 in damp situations looking for their prey. They are ordinarily to be 

 found in muddy or pebbly damp spots, generally on the banks of streams 

 or ponds. The best way to catch them is to clap your net over thern 

 when you see them move, and then pick them out with your fingers to put 

 them in the bottle. Acanthias can be found and captured in the same 

 way. I always endeavour to put the mouth of the bottle over these, as th'ey 



