154 THE UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN. 
Montandon says that R. annulipes is synonymous with R. fabricti 
Guer, overlooking the dates in the matter. However, as the writer stated 
in the beginning, the responsibility for these matters rests with Van 
Duzee whom he has faithfully followed. 
Ranatra americana is the commonest one of these insects in the 
United States, says Montandon. In spite of the careful notes of com- 
parison made by the above-named writer, it is not possible to prepare a 
satisfactory key without carefully examining much material. The writer 
would refer his Ranatras to Bueno for determination. 
Ranatra fusca P. B. 1805. 
Palisot-Beauvois, Ins. Rec. Afr. Am., p. 235. 
“Greenish fuscous, sete shorter than the body, wings reddish fuscous.” 
Bueno says this latter character is quite noticeable and adds “that the 
anterior femora are narrow, smooth, save for the middle tooth; that 
R. fusca can further be differentiated from R. quadridentata by the much 
longer legs, the tarsal claws reaching nearly to the extremity of the air 
tube and the extremities of the femora of the third pair of legs attaining 
to the end of the penultimate abdominal segments; by the prominent 
eyes; by the prothorax being slimmer and longer and unisulcate beneath. 
Ranatra kirkaldyi Bueno 1905. 
Bueno, Can. Ent., XXXVII, p. 187. 
““Abdominis dorsum orange brown; eyes small, not very prominent; 
prothorax much constricted at the middle, bisuleate beneath; wings 
smoky; anterior femora broad, with a prominent tooth near the middle, 
otherwise smooth; posterior tarsi extending beyond the middle of the air 
tube; air tube shorter than the length of the abdomen; legs banded; 
length from tip of abdomen to tip of rostrum, male 23 mm.; 26.4 mm.; 
female, 27-31 mm.” 
Ranatra nigra H. S. 1853. 
Herrich-Scheffer, Wanz., Ins. IX, p. 32. 1853. 
Montandon, Bul. Soc. Sci. Bucarest, XIX, p. 64. 1910. 
Montandon makes the following remarks regarding this species: 
“Size almost of R. linearis; darker; eyes no larger but more project- 
ing; vertex broader; structure of thorax and length of legs as in R. 
elongata. I know of no North American species with legs as developed as 
those of R. elongata Fabr. The posterior femora of which extend back- 
ward plainly surpassing the last abdominal suture.” 
He concludes that it could not be confused with other species of North 
America. 
Ranatra americana Montd. 1910. 
Montandon, Bul. Soc. Sci. Bucarest, XIX, p. 65. 
“This is the species most common and widespread in a great part of 
North America, at least in the east and southern part of the United 
States. My collection possesses examples from Lowell, Mass., Pittsburgh, 
Pa., Long Island, N. Y., Lake Forest, Il]., and Florida. It has been 
confused probably by the majority of authors with R. quadridentata 
Stal., with which it differs in the size, being a little more robust (forte), 
in the form of the eyes, which are a little larger, more prominent and 
plainly transverse, as broad as the interocular space, which is also | 
