Back-Swimmers 291 



in the briny lakes of the West and also in the 

 sparkling transhicent trout streams. 



Down in ^lexico the natives collect tlie eggs of 

 the water boat-bug that inhabits the lakes near 

 the city of IMexico, and according to Mr. Howard 

 they make the eggs into cakes, mixing the eggs 

 with meal before baking them. But here in the 

 United States we do not eat water-bugs' eggs. 



BACK-SWIMMERS 



Many insects are supplied with many eyes; 

 some of the water beetles have eyes on the top 

 of their heads for looking into the sky and eyes 

 under their heads for looking down into the water. 

 The extra eyes are called ocf.lli. The eyes of the 

 back-swimmer are triangular and he has no extra 

 ones scattered about his person. There are several 

 kinds of water Boatmen, but you will find that out 

 when you make your collection. 



If you pick up some of these back-swimmers 

 (Fig, 273) with your hands, do not be at all sur- 

 prised if they jab you with their beak; but you need 

 not be alarmed, don't drop your captive; say 

 " Ouch!" but put him in the pail. Some say the 

 prick from a water Boatman is as painful as a bee 



