202 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



the- body a dark colored fluid. By pricking- them with a pin, they 

 can be made to quit their hold, as I have often seen in the 

 common species, Coccus Hesperidum, infesting the myrtle. A lit- 

 tle later the body is more swelled, and, on carefully raising- it with 

 a knife, numerous oblong eggs will be discovered beneath it, and 

 the insect appears dried up and dead, and only its outer skin 

 remains, which forms a convex cover to its futui-e progeny. Un- 

 der this protecting shield the young are hatched, and, on the 

 approach of warm weather, make their escape at the lower end of 

 the shell, which is either slightly elevated or notched at this part. 

 They then move with considerable activity, and disperse them- 

 selves over the young shoots or leaves." Harris. 



The cochinealis prepared from the coccus that lives upon the cac- 

 tus. In Canada a dye of equal value has been prepared to some 

 extent from a native species of this genus. The minute scales 

 secreting wax that cover certain species in the East Indies, enable 

 the natives to prepare the different varieties of shellac. 



The preceding families belong to the order Hemoptera of many 

 writers, but it is difficult to draw the line between the tw.o groups 

 of families. As a general thing the following families have the 

 head- smaller, the antennae long, and the base of the fore wings 

 thickened ; the beak is longer; many of the species are carnivorous. 

 These have by one author been divided into flower-suckers and 

 blood-suckers. When disturbed they emit a disagreeable odor, 

 and small species are often eaten with fruit, producing a particu- 

 larly offensive and lasting taste. Various genera, such as Velia, 

 Gerris and the bed-bug, often have no wings when merely perfect 

 insects but pads instead, as all hemipters have when in the pupa 

 state ; but as the functions of reproduction are carried on, they have 

 by some writers been called different species from the fully winged 

 individuals. 



Noioneciidae, or water-boatmen, are like Teltigoniae, but their legs 

 are ciliated and formed for swimming. The different species of 

 Gorixa are common in every pool. Their motions are rapid, div- 

 ing suddenly to the bottom and holding on to submerged objects 

 when disturbed. They fly well, but walk with diflSculty. 



Nepidae. This group comprises, among others, two singular 

 genera. Belostoma, containing the largest species in the suborder, 

 often measuring three inches in length. They may be seen in 

 winter swimming beneath the ice of ponds, lianalra is long linear, 



