IIEMIPTERA. 171 



insect is really ochvo-yollcnv, and the rnsty black hue of the 

 head, thorax, thick part of the wing-covers, and legs, is occa- 

 sioned by numerous black punctures, that, on the head, arc 

 arranged in two broad black longitudinal lines, between which, 

 as well as on the margin of the thorax, the yellow is distinctly 

 to be seen. On the back part of the head of this bug, and 

 rather behind the eyes, are two little glassy elevated spots, 

 which are called eyelets, and which are supposed to enable 

 the insect to see distant objects above it, while the larger eyes 

 at the sides of the head are for nearer objects around it. Eye- 

 lets are also to be found in grasshoppers, locusts, and many 

 other insects. In some of our species of Coreus there is a 

 little thorn at the base of the antenna^, the legs are also thorny 

 on the under side, and the hindmost thighs are much thicker 

 than the others; but none of these characters are found in 

 squash-bugs.* When handled, and still more when crushed, 

 the latter give out an odor precisely similar to that of an over- 

 ripe pear, but far too powerful to be agreeable. 



In order to prevent the ravages of these insects, they should 

 be sought and killed when they are about to lay their eggs; 

 and if any escape our observation at this time, their eggs may 

 be easily found and crushed. With this view the squash-vines 

 must be visited daily, during the early part of their growth, 

 and must be carefully examined for the bugs and their eggs. 

 A very short time spent in this way every day, in the proper 

 season, will save a great deal of vexation and disappointment 

 aftersvards. If this precaution be neglected or deferred till 

 the vines have begun to spread, it will be exceedingly difficult 

 to exterminate the insects, on account of their numbers ; and, 

 if at this time dry weather should prevail, the vines will suffer 

 so much from the bugs and drought together, as to produce 

 but little if any fruit. Whatever contributes to bring forward 

 the plants rapidly, and to promote the vigor and luxuriance of 

 their foliage, renders them less liable to suffer by the exhausting 

 punctures of the young bugs. Water drained from a cow- 



* They appear to belong to the genus Gonocerus of Burmeister. 



