36 NOTES ON 
CHAPTER IV. 
THE LARVA OF A SMALL NOTONECTA OR BOAT-FLY, 
Notonecta minutissima.—Linné. 
Plea minutissima.—Leach. 
THE rich transparent and brilliant colouring of 
these insects, both in the larva and perfect state, 
when they have newly cast their skins, the 
agility of their movements, and the peculiarity 
of their habits, excite an interest inferior to 
none in this department of animated nature. 
These insects swim on their backs, whence 
they derive their name. At first sight their 
appearance is not unlike that of a boat; the 
hinder feet, which are adapted for swimming, 
are formed like feathered oars; and are used by 
them with much facility and elegance. They 
are constantly on the alert, and dive to the 
bottom of the water on the slightest alarm. 
During the spring, they are found in ponds 
and rivulets, and may frequently be seen in 
droves descending to the bottom, on the ap- 
proach of a spectator. They may be taken in 
a hand net, though not without considerable 
