444 The University Science Bulletin. 



over all from tip of beak to end of filaments 2 to 2% inches, while 

 this species has a tube averaging a full inch and varies in size from 

 2^8 to 21/2 inches. The shape of the eyes as shown in Herrich- 

 Schaffer's figure, is very different, and the size which he says is 

 "not larger than R. linearis," would at once eliminate it, for in 

 R. buenai they are very large, but not so large as in R. elongata, 

 specimens of which I have seen. 



For illustration of this species, see figures 1 and 2, plate XLVI; 

 fig. 12, plate XLVII; figure 1, plate XLVIII; and figure 5, plate 

 XLIX. This species, as Bueno has written, is southern in distribu- 

 tion. Besides the localities above cited, I have seen it from Way- 

 cross, Ga., taken by J. C. Bradley, U. S. N. M. 



Ranatra nigra Herrich-Schaffer. 



Henich-Schaffer, G. A. W., Wanzenartigen Insecten, IX, p. 32 ; 1853. 

 (^ Runatra proie»sa Montd. and all subsequent writers.) 



Original description : 



R. nigra m. tab. 290, fig. L, 2 = 2%". Nigra, tubis respiratoribus longi- 

 tiidinem dimidiam corporis parum superantibus. Grosse fast von R. linearis, 

 schwarzer, die Aiigen night grosser aber seitlich mehr vortretend, der Scheitel 

 daher breiter. Ban des Thorax imd Liingenverhaltnisse der Beine wie bei 



R. elongata. Aus Anierika. 



In addition to the above, and in the discussion relative to the 

 genus Ranatra and the species R. elongata, R. filiformis, R. linearis, 

 macrophthalma and R. nigra, he gives notes of comparison which 

 throw further light upon his species. He says R. elongata has the 

 longest respiratory tube (134 inches) and R. nigra has the shortest 

 {% inch). The color is darkest in R. nigra, "die Augen sind am 

 grossten bei macrophthalma, am kleinsten bei linearis, am rundes- 

 ten bei letzerer, am meisteiijaie Quere gezogen bei nigra." His state- 

 ment of length, 2 to 2^8 inches from tip of beak to tip of tube with 

 "Athmungsrohren nicht viel iiber halb so lang als der Korper," in- 

 dicate that he had a series of the insects. 



Notes. The only species of our country which agrees in size and 

 uniformly short length of respiratory tube with the description of 

 R. nigra is the insect we know under the name R. protensa Montd. 

 Doctor Montandon had before him a single large, fairly short- 

 limbed female, which is his type deposited in the United States Na- 

 tional Museum. This $ was collected by Wm. H. Ashmead on 

 Long Island. The respiratory tube is shorter than the abdomen. 

 The legs extended would surely reach the tip of the respiratorv tube. 



Ranatra nigra is quite common over our country everywhere I 

 have collected. It is most unfortunate that it was described from 



