32 ASSASSIN-BUGS 
looking object, resembling in a general way our waiking-sticks, 
or the long-legged spiders. It is over one inch and a third in 
length, with wings only about one-fourth as long as the legs. 
The ground color is brown or fulvous, with the upper surface 
of the abdomen more or less reddish; a few pale stripes occur 
on each side of the head. The predaceous character of this in- 
sect is seen in the front legs; these are also more or less banded. 
When lodged in a twig or bush this peculiar being has the curious 
habit of swinging backwards and forwards. ‘The fore-legs are 
most formidable instruments in catching and securing the insects 
upon which it feeds; the long fore-coxz project far in front of 
the head, and furnish a swinging joint for the spined femora, 
which can be thrown forward like a flail, while at the same time 
the sharp tibiz are shut back against the acute spines, and the 
victim thus irretrievably transfixed.” (Uhler.) 
Fic. 24.—Sinea diadema Fab. After Riley. Div. of Entomology, Dep. ofi 
Agriculture. 
FAMILY REDUVIIDAE. 
(Assassin-bugs). 
This is a large family of bugs representing nine sub-families 
and at least fifty genera. Of course it is not possible to even 
mention the numerous species found in our state. Generally 
speaking they are useful, as they are predaceous, living on the 
blood of other insects. But in a few cases they are not careful 
enough in their selection of food, and attack higher animals, not 
even showing respect for man. Some of the more important 
common species have been illustrated, so that the reader may 
be enabled to recognize them. 
Nearly all members of this family are fairly large, and some 
are gayly colored. They differ from the Emeside by having: 
