Water Scorpions 293 



WATER SCORPIONS 



These water-bugs are called scorpions because 

 their front legs, with which they grasp their prey, 

 and their tail combined, give them the appearance 

 of — or rather, suggest, a scorpion. Water scor- 

 pions have wings (Fig. 274). The front wing is 

 horny after the manner of bugs and the hind wing 

 is thin, transparent and skinny. They are very 

 flat bugs and like the boat-bugs and the back-swim- 



mers they prey ujjon other water creatures. The 

 water scorpion also has a habit of feeding on fish 

 eggs. It is said to be able to sting severely. Let 

 some scientist try the experiment and accept his 

 report. The report will not pain you. 



When you are digging in the mud of Kissena 

 Lake or almost any other pond in oui' country, you 

 are liable to bring out of the bottom an elongated 



