THE NAUCORIS. 587 



raptorial, and the thighs are extremely large and powerful. 

 I have taken great numbers of this insect in the Swindon 

 Eeservoir, and been made practically acquainted with the 

 power of the beak and its capability of piercing the human 

 hand. The beak, though it be short, is very strong and very 

 sharply pointed ; and when the insect is at rest, the end of the 

 beak exactly reaches to the base of the fore-legs. 



