212 



Aquatic Organisms 



which swim with great agihty and are able to remain for 

 a considerable time beneath the surface of the water. 

 The eggs of these are attached beneath the water to any 



solid support. Most 

 grotesque in foim 

 are the water-scor- 

 pions (Nepidae) , that 

 breathe through a 

 long caudal respira- 

 tory tube. The 

 eggs of these are in- 

 serted into soft plant 

 tissues, with a pair 

 of long processes on 

 the end of each egg 

 left protruding. 



At the shore-line 

 we find the creep- 

 ing water-bugs 

 among matted roots 

 in the edge of the 

 water, with shore 

 bugs and toad bugs just out on land. 



Nymphs and adults alike are distinguished from the 

 members of all other orders by the possession of a 

 jointed puncturing and sucking proboscis beneath the 

 head, directed backw^ard between the fore legs. 



Nymphs and adults are found in the water together 

 and are alike carnivorous. Being similar in form they 

 are readily recognized as the same animal in different 

 developmental stages. 



The net-winged insects {Neuroptera) are mainly 

 terrestrial or arboreal. Two families only have aquatic 

 representatives, the Sialididse and the Hemerobiidas, 

 and these are so different, they are better considered 

 separately. 



Fig. 119. A new-hatched Benacus, and 

 a detached egg. 



