ORDER IX. HEMIPTERA. 



This order is divisible into two well-marked groups, 

 the Heteroptera and Homoptera. A type of the order 

 is the squash-bug of the Heteroptera. In accord- 

 ance with the plan adopted in this Guide the type will 

 be described first, and after some of the more com- 

 mon forms of the two groups have become familiar 

 the general statements will be given (see pp. 142- 

 144). It is hoped that teachers will follow this method 

 in their lessons, encouraging their pupils to find all 

 the characters of the type first, and not begin by giv- 

 ing them general statements or by telling them off- 

 hand what they ought to discover by their own efforts. 

 Teachers do not teach writing, reading, and arith- 

 metic by doing the work themselves ; why should they 

 not follow the same principle in natural history ? 



The squash-bug, Anasa tiistis (PI. V., Fig. 63, en- 

 larged, p. 115) is often found abundantly on the vines 

 of the summer squash, and during July, August, and 

 September all stages from the ^%g to the full-grown 

 insect can be collected. It belongs to a large family, 

 the Coreid?e (see p. 125), and is extensively distrib- 

 uted. 



The head (PL V., Fig. 64, A) is flattened horizon- 

 tally, and connected with the thorax by a short neck 

 which allows but little freedom of motion. The dor- 



