Cie) 
VII. Synopsis of British Hemiptera-Heteroptera. 
By Epwarp Saunpers, F.L.8. Parr I. 
[Read 5th April, 1875.] 
THE following pages have been prepared in order to give 
a short and concise monograph of our British Hemiptera- 
Heteroptera, and to show plainly, by means of analytical 
tables, the distinguishing characters of their genera and 
species. It may be thought that, whilst entomologists 
have such a book as Messrs. Douglas & Scott’s “ British 
Hemiptera,” nothing further is needed; but since its pub- 
lication many new species have been added and many 
corrections made; and the analytical tables here employed 
will, I believe, supply a want much felt by those who have 
studied Messrs. Douglas & Scott’s work. In order to 
form these tables I have borrowed freely from Fieber, 
Mulsant and other continental authors; and I must 
remark that the characters here employed are only meant 
to distinguish our British genera and species apart, and 
may not always suffice to distinguish them from their 
European allies; but this book being meant for students 
of our British forms, I have thought it undesirable to use 
the more puzzling characters which are necessary to dis- 
tinguish the European genera and species, although such 
a course would perhaps have been the more scientific. I 
have much pleasure here in thanking those who have kindly 
helped me with the loan of specimens, &c., and especially 
Messrs. Douglas & Scott and Dr. Power, and also Dr. 
Puton, for the ready way in which they have helped me 
whenever I have applied for their valuable assistance. 
HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA. 
I. Antenne visible, legs not nataterial.. si 2 Gymnocerata. 
II. Antenne hidden, legs natatorial .. AE -. Cryptocerata. 
GYMNOCERATA. 
I. Elytra formed of several pieces joined together or 
reticulated .. oe oe oe a -- Geodromica. 
II. Elytra formed of one piece .. oe ae .. LHydrodromica. 
N.B.—This last division contains those species only that run or leap on 
the surface of the water. 
TRANS. ENT. sOC. 1875.—PART II. (SEPT.) K 
