THE REDUVIUS PERSONATUS. 



375 



flies about the fields, returning, however, to houses in order to 

 lay its eggs. 



A larva may be seen in the engraving on the ground, close to 

 the basket on the right hand side ; the perfect insect is entering 

 the house, and immediately beneath it, on the ground, is a nymph. 



The HydromeiridcB are aquatic Reduviincs. They are insects 

 which are commonly observable during the summer upon the 



THE METAMORPHOSES OF Reduvius persouatus. 



surface of running or standing waters. Some have long narrow 

 legs, with which they appear to be taking the measure of the top 

 of the water. They are called Hydrometra stagnonim. The 

 species of the genus Gerris, which are very numerous, are also very 

 common, and some others belonging to the genus Halobatcs have 

 been found walking over the waves of the tropical seas as easily 

 as the first twirl and twist about on our ponds. In order to enable 

 a Gerris to live on the surface of stagnant water, and to skim upon 



