623 HEMIPTERA. 



are sometimes called Boat flies. The hind feet are long and 

 fringed, held out when at rest, like a pair of oars, and used like 

 them in swimming. The larvae and pupae differ from the perfect 

 insect only in their smaller size and the absence of wings. 



HydrcmttridcB, WATER-MEASURERS, or SKIPPERS, (Aurocorisa.) 

 These live on the surface of standing or running waters, and 

 sometimes move with great rapidity. 



The boat-shaped insects of the genus Hydrometra, (Gr. hudor, 

 water; meiron, measure,) are furnished with fore feet suited to 

 locomotion. These move over the water rather slowly. Their 

 larvae have the abdomen extremely small, which is also true of 

 the Oceanic Halobates, (Gr. hah, the sea ; baino, to go,) which 

 seems to confirm the general idea of Agassiz, (see our account 

 of the Turtles,) that fresh- water forms are of higher grade than 

 the marine. 



Reduviida, (Genus Reduvius.) These are another family 

 of SKIPPERS, which are active and predaceous, their strong beak 

 or rostrum enabling them to pierce insects that have a covering 

 tolerably hard. The puncture which they make is said to be 

 rather poisonous. 



CimitidcR, or Land Bugs, (Aurocorisa,) include the Bed-bug, 

 Cimex lectularia, (see Chart,) so odious, and so widely spread. 

 It is said this bug was &quot;unknown in England until after the 

 Great Fire of London, in 1666, when it was introduced in the 

 fir-timber imported for rebuilding the city.&quot; Westwood, how- 

 ever, asserts, it was known there as early as 1503. 



Coreidce, (genus Corns,) These are small, elongated bugs, 

 found in small fruits, some of them of a red and yellow color 

 bordering the elytra and upper surface. One species is the 

 SQUASH-BUG common on the leaves of the squash and pumpkin, 

 which lays its eggs about the last of June. It should be crushed 

 with the foot before that time. 



ScutelleridcB, (genus Scutellaria.) 1. These insects derive 

 their family name from having the scutellum, (dimi of scutum, a 

 shield,) so large as to cover the abdomen and wings. These are 

 the bugs of unpleasant smell, found on strawberry-vines and 

 other berries. Some of them are above the medium size of in 

 sects, and not a few are clothed in bright colors. Those of the 

 genus Pentatoma, (Gr. five sections,) are among the most com 

 mon. Like others of the family, they secrete an ill-scented 

 fluid. The antennse are divided into five joints, whence the 

 name. 



