§30 Mr. R. Tenipleton's Description of a new 



XLVI. Description of a new Hemipterous Insect from the 

 Atlantic Ocean. By Robert Tbmpleton, Esq., R.A.^ 8^c. 



[Read Sept. 7, 1835.] 

 HYDROMETRIDJi, Leuch. 



Genus Gerkis, Latr. 

 Subgenus Halobates, Eschscholtz, Entomographien . 

 Sp. H. Streatfieldana. Plate XXII. fig. A. 

 Broadly ovate or lozenge- shaped, brilliant black ; eyes, two minute 

 spots near the prothorax, and the sides and apices of the first un- 

 covered pair of abdominal annuli (4th and 5th) rufous ; beneath 

 brovi^nish black, the first five abdominal rings yellovv^ish with rufous 

 apices, offering the appearance of five narrow transverse fasciae ; last 

 rings broad and rufous black. Apterous. 

 Length 0'13 inch. 

 Found on the Atlantic Ocean in longitude 20° under the line. 



This beautiful species was captured nearly midway between the 

 continents of Africa and America by Col. Streatfield, 87th R. T. F., 

 whose name I have in consequence done myself the favour to affix 

 to it, as being most appropriate, and as a slight testimony of the 

 grateful recollection I have of his kindness in presenting me with 

 many interesting species of insects and other rarities. The sea was 

 quite smooth, with a gentle swell, at the time the insect was caught ; 

 a number were seen swimming about among the PorpittB, which 

 formed the first object of attraction, and fortunately directed atten- 

 tion to the insect. The singularity of its distance from any land, and 

 the possibility of its being driven off from the African coast by the 

 south-eastern gales, gave full play to conjecture and excited our at- 

 tention to the little creatures in the water, in the hope of ascertaining 

 on what objects it preyed ; but all possibility of discovering this was 

 quickly put a period to by the S. E. trade sweeping over the surface 

 and banishing all traces of the Medusce and their companions. 



This species obviously belongs to a section or subgenus distinct 

 from that in which our linear European species are placed, and cha- 

 racterized by the contracted dimensions of the body, and the dilata- 

 tion of the head and prothorax, and the shortness of the latter. 

 When examined minutely we find the whole body covered with mi- 

 nute hairs, those on the legs predominating beneath, the upper curv- 

 ing downwards. The head is somewhat triangular with two cupped 

 processes laterally within which lie the bases of the antennae ; two 



