sept , 1905.] Bueno : Notonecta of North America. 147 



attached in the manner described further on, although the plants in 

 my aquaria were the same as for the one specimen, and although in 

 the open I have found the ova on the watersoaked and decaying stems 

 of rushes. It may well be, nevertheless, that since the bug observed 

 by Regiinbart was the European Notonecta glauca Linne its habits in 

 this respect may differ from those of the American species I have been 

 able to observe. 



A word regarding collection and preservation of these waterbugs 

 may not be amiss. Any approved water net will do. I use one made 

 of coarse Brussels net, which is very strong and at the same time per- 

 mits the water to flow through quickly, thereby offering very little 

 resistance in the rapid movements necessary to secure these agile 

 swimmers. The handle also should be rather long to give a good 

 reach. To capture Notonecta undulata, the net should be moved 

 swiftly back and forth just under the surface of the water at first ; then 

 when the bugs are hiding the vegetation should be dragged, the latter 

 being also the best way to get N variabilis. Notonecta uhleri and N. 

 irrorata are best taken by dragging along the vegetation growing into 

 the water from overhanging banks, not too near the surface, a tangle 

 of roots in the water being in my experience the best place. For 

 N irrorata, the shadow of logs or broken branches lying in the water 

 is a very favorable situation, and if the log lies in the water or floats 

 on it the net should scrape the submerged surfaces. Notonecta insu- 

 lata can be taken as it floats in the water by approaching the net 

 slowly to the insect and then making a swift stroke, so that it meets 

 the bug as it swims away. When under cover, the vegetation should 

 be dragged as for the others. Not being familiar with the habits of the 

 other species enumerated I can give no definite idea as to the best ways 

 to catch them, but should think that some one of the preceding 

 methods would apply. 



The cyanide bottle is, of course, the most satisfactory way of 

 killing them. On no account should they he killed in alcohol. This 

 fluid distorts and discolors them, making them unfit for mounting. 

 However, as a preservative of specimens for anatomical purposes, it 

 is possibly the best. Formalin is not good; as while it preserves the 

 insect, it so hardens the tissues that they become extremely brittle, 

 even when wet. For mounting on pins, w'hen it is not possible to do 

 it in the field or for the moment, the water bugs should be kept dry, 

 being put between layers of cotton protected by soft tissue paper, this 



