20 BUGS. 
in Fig. 13. It is the common Belostoma americanum Leidy, 
which varies greatly in size. It is of a pale, dirty-brown color, 
mottled with dark brown; the under side is also speckled with 
dark brown. The anterior femora are furnished with a groove 
for the reception of the edge of the tibiz, which is absent in the 
equally large and similar Benacus griseus Say, which has the 
under side of the thorax marked by five interrupted longitudinal 
stripes of dark brown. Both species are as rapacious as their 
more southern relatives. They secrete themselves beneath stones 
Fic. 13.—Belostoma americanum Leidy. After Riley. 
or rubbish, even cover themselves with mud or bits of water 
plants, and with sudden rapidity dart upon their unsuspecting 
victims, grasp them in their strong fore-legs, and plunge their 
deadly beak deep into the flesh, after which they proceed quite 
leisurely to suck the blood. A large amount of poisonous saliva 
enters the wound, no doubt aiding to produce paralysis of the 
little sun-fish, minnow, frog, or insect. 
It is a good thing for us that these large and poisonous in- 
sects, so common in our streets under the electric lights, are al- 
