50 THE UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN. 
long ago as Brulle’s time at least, (1836). Figures of this difference are 
shown on plate IX. 
Oviposition. It has been stated that the eggs are deposited in the 
ground, but the writer has not been able, so far, to verify this point. The 
ovipositor parts bear strong, dull tipped spines or pegs, that might well 
serve the purpose of pushing aside the sand grains. A drawing of these 
parts is shown on plate IX. 
Number of Instars. From the collection of nymphs there are certainly 
five instars. Uhler says there are two broods in the east. The second 
one coming in August. 
Food Habits. Again we get some observations from Uhler who writes 
most vividly of bug behavior: “‘They may often be seen in the month of 
May walking about between the stones on the low banks of brooks and 
streams, where Tettix and Batrachidea abound, watching an opportunity 
to seize one of these insects, and when the favorable moment arrives, 
leaping suddenly upon one of them, clasping it with tight embrace be- 
tween the front femora and tibiz, and there sucking out all its vital 
juices.” Professor Thomas reported its capture of Xya terminalis in the 
same way. Uhler says it uses little discrimination, seizing the larve of 
ground beetles, and almost any other kind of insect which comes its way. 
The writer submits a photograph herewith (plate V) to indicate 
the greediness of these bugs, and the fact that their food source was 
close at hand. The lace bug's in this case were reared on the vegetation 
near by. Some bugs were taken with a half dozen lace bugs held in one 
embrace. Another one had some small Capsids. 
Behavior The writer found these in greatest abundance near Russell 
Springs, in Logan county, and from the river a few miles north o elena se! 
in Wallace county, Kansas. Mr. Alexander brought in splendid series 
from Pawnee county, Kansas. These insects jump quickly when dis- 
turbed, and squat flat upon the sand where the mottling of their backs 
merges into their surroundings, rendering them well nigh indiscernible. 
The position of their hind limbs and the location of the spines of the 
tibia, where they will best serve their purpose, is an interesting adapta- 
tion to use. See photo., plate IV. 
DESCRIPTION OF STAGES. 
The Egg. 
Up to date the writer has not been able to follow the life history of 
the toad bug. Mr. C. P. Alexander brought in from Larned, Kansas, a 
considerable series of adults and last instar nymphs. From this material 
the writer has figured the ovipositor of the female, and the ovum. One 
female contained 10 ova. The mature egg meets the following descrip- 
tion. 
Size. Length, 1.25 mm; diameter, 91 mm. 
Shape Broadly oval, as shown on plate IX. 
The surface is roughly granular, and marked into irregular hexagonal 
areas by thickened ridges of the chorion. 
