37*5 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



it with great velocity, Nature has given it a body somewhat like 

 that of a wherry in shape. The long middle feet, which are covered 

 with a fine close down like the rest of the body, glide on the water, 

 and even remain motionless without becoming wet. Their food 

 consists of other insects, and they are able in the adult stage 

 to fly from pond to pond. It is very remarkable that the larvae 

 of many species which differ only from the perfect insects by 

 wanting wings, should be able to produce their kind without 

 becoming full grown. 



The NcpidcE, or Water Scorpions, are carnivorous, like the 

 RediiviincB ; they may be known by their very short antennae, which 

 seem to be hidden in cavities below the eyes, and by two long 

 bristle-shaped processes, which project from the end of their tail, 

 and by which they breathe. 



There are many groups of them. For instance the Ncpce, or 

 true Water Scorpions, which have slender legs, the front ones being 

 used to seize their prey, the leg being folded on the thigh, as in the 

 MaritidcB. These insects lay their eggs in packets upon stones or 

 aquatic plants, but some kinds carry them on their back. They 

 swim slowly, often immerse themselves in the mud, and live upon 

 small aquatic animals. The Ranetrcs have long, thin, and slender 

 bodies, with immensely long legs ; but the Nepce we have just men- 

 tioned have large and flat bodies. 



The NotonectidcB are the true swimmers of this great division of 

 the insects. They have a large head, short fore legs, and very long 

 hind ones, which act as oars. All undergo incomplete metamorphoses. 



In the engraving on the opposite page Notonecta glanca, or the 

 Boatman, may be seen low down. On the right are two water 

 scorpions, Nepa cinerea, the smaller one being a larva. On the 

 left hand the great sprawling Ranatra is on the top of the water. 



The Cicada family introduce us to the Homoptera, and form a 

 well-characterised group, the kinds of which do not differ much 

 amongst themselves, one Cicada being very much like another. In 

 Southern Europe the Cigala {Cicadcu) are known to every one, and 

 have been celebrated since the time of the highest antiquity ; but 

 they do not live in the centre and north of Europe. The 

 perfect insects live upon trees, sucking the juice of the leaves, 

 and the females deposit their eggs, from 500 to 700 in number, in 



