32 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



description, but as in other more easily demonstrable particulars subse- 

 quently pointed out, especially in the relative lengths of the antennal 

 segments, there is no material divergence, this is perhaps attributable to 

 an error of observation on the part of the describes It differs from the 

 Central American species noted by Champion in having the 2nd, 3rd and 

 4th antennal joints subequal, the first joint being the shortest and stoutest 

 and somewhat curved, and in the bifid scutellar apex, in which last 

 character it resembles the figures of Hebius major Champ, and H. 

 hirsutus Champ. ^ In fact, in regard to the latter species, it would not 

 surprise me at all to find it eventually transferred to Merragaia, especially 

 since in the unique type the antennae were broken, but were assumed to 

 be five-jointed, a somewhat risky proceeding in view of the fact that the 

 generic difference lies in this character. 



Nothing appears to be known as to the habits of the genus. I secured 

 M. hebi^oides B. White in a ditch draining into the Canal de la Viga in 

 Mexico City, in iVpril of 19 10, but made no further note than that it was 

 taken by dredging in grasses growing into the water at the edge. 



The recognized species of Merragata may be separated by the 

 following key, based on Champion's, in the "Biologia Centrali Americana." 



1. (2) Scutellum bifid at apex ; antennal joints 2 to 4 subequal, joint i 



shortest, stoutest i. Laciinifera Berg. 



2. (i) Scutellum blunt, 7iot bifid at apex. 



3. (2) Antennal joints i to 3 subequal, 4 rather stout and 



fusiform 2. hebroides F. B. White. 



4. (3) Antennal joint 3 slender and very much longer than 2 ; 4 slender 



and subfusiform. 



5. (6) Pronotum deeply constricted at the sides. 3 .... LeiicostictaÇA\2,x^}^\ç>x\. 



6. {5) Pronotum moderately constricted 4. Brevis Champion. 



Nœogeus (or Hebrus) and Merragata look extremely like Microvelia 

 in the Gerridae, but the apical tarsal claws at once serve to distinguish 

 them from the last named, in which they are subapical and set in a cleft 

 in the tarsus. The two genera of Nœogeidœ ( = Hebridae) are thus 

 distinguished : 



Antennae 4-jointed Merragata F. B. White. 



Antennœ 5-jointed Nœogeus Laporte ( = Hebrus Curtis). 



6. 1898, Biol. Cent. Am., Het. II, pi. VIII, figs, i and 2. 



Mailed lanuary loth, 1912. 



