HEMIPTERA. 



123 



The prothorax strengthens the head effectually, for it 

 takes the same downward curve, and moves in obedi- 

 ence to it and the fore- 

 most legs. On the lower 

 side it is hollowed out for 

 the first section of the 

 legs, which appear to be 

 attached to the neck in- 

 stead of the prothorax, 

 so near are they to the 

 head. These legs are fit- 

 ted for catching and hold- 

 ing animals like small fish 

 and frogs. The tibia moves 

 upon the femur Hke the 

 blade of a penknife upon 

 its handle. This mode 

 of forming a claw for 

 catching and holding the 

 prey is characteristic of 

 the Insecta, and is in 

 curious contrast with the 

 very different mode of 

 forming a similar weapon in the Crustacea.^ The 

 animal moving swiftly through the water seizes a 

 chub or other young fish, and holding it near the 

 neck inserts its powerful beak and sucks the blood. 

 It destroys great numbers of young fishes in the 

 breeding ponds, so that the Massachusetts Fish 

 Commissioners have been obliged to make extraordi- 



Fig. 71. 



1 See Guide No. VII., pp. 22-24. 



