76 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



and the long curved hairs near the tips of the tarsi. 1 1 is probable that the 

 latter are organs of touch, and intended to warn the animal of the approach of 

 any enemy, as from their situation at the outer side of the extremities of the 

 legs, it seems likely that any obj eet approaching their possessor would come in 

 contact with them first, and thus give notice of its approach. The curved tips 

 of the hairs are perhaps to preserve them from being so readily broken as if 

 they were straight. 



HALOBATODES. 



Of the habits of Halohatodes nothing has been recorded. Whether all the species 

 inhabit the sea is uncertain. In fact it is not improbable that three of them are fresh- 

 water species, and it is only because Frauenfeld has stated that he found one in the Chinese 

 Seas that the genus has been included in this monograph, where, however, it deserves a 

 place on account of the close resemblance in structure to Halobates. 



