NOTONECTID^J. 587 



of the 3rd segment the 1st segment appears as 2 narrow plates, 

 directed upward and backward, and at the sides 2 long anal ap- 

 pendages. In the (^, the 1st segment is placed and formed like the 

 2nd in the ? , except that the under plate is not pointed, but 

 shorter and broadly obtuse ; over it lies the triangular point of the 

 under plate of the 2nd segment, with which it forms a large triangle. 

 Above, the posterior margin is concave and irregularly dentate, 

 and in the excision the upper and side plates of the 2nd segment 

 are visible, the rest of the segment is covered by the 1st, and the 

 3rd by the 2nd ; the apex curved and cleft, and beneath, a thin, 

 movable, horny style. 



The NotonectcB swim very rapidly, with the back downwards, using 

 their hind legs like oars, whence their name of " Boat-flies." Their 

 rostrum is capable of inflicting a painful wound in the hands of those 

 who take hold of them without due care. 



Species 1. NOTONECTA GLAUCA. 



NOTONECTA GLATJCA, Lin. P. S. 903 (1761) ; Scop. Ent. Cam. 118, 348 

 (1763); Lin. S. N, 712, 1 (1767); De G. Me"m. 

 iii, 382, 5, t. 18, figs. 16, 17 (1773) ; Panz. F. G. 

 3, 20 ; Fab. E. S. iv, 57, 1 (1794); S. R. 102, 1 

 (1803); Lat. Hisft. Nat. xii, 291, pi. 97, fig. 41 

 (1804); Gen. iii, 150, 1 (1807); Leach, Trans. 

 Lin. Soc. xii, 13, 3 (1817) ; Fall. Hem. Suec. 177, 

 1 (1829) ; L. Duf. Rech. 88, ] (1833) ; Burm. 

 Handb. ii, 190, 1 (1835) ; Blanch. Hist. Nat. iii, 

 88, 1, pi. 1, fig. 2 (1840) ; Am. et Serv. Hem. 452, 

 1 (1843); Flor, Rhyn. Liv. i, 772, 1 (1860). 

 FTJRCATA, Fab. E. S. 58, 2 (1794); S. R. 102, 2 (1803); 



Leach, Trans. Lin. Soc. xii, 12, 1 (1817) ; Fall. 



Hem. Suec. 178, 2 (1829). 

 FAERICI, p. Fieb. Rhyncot. 49, 3 (1851) ; Europ. Hem. 101, 



2 (1861). 



Elytra cinereous or ochraceous, with a row of subquadrate brown 

 spots close to the anterior margin ; or black -brown, with a long 

 ochreous dash on the clavus and corium. Abdomen black ; 

 membrane; the points projecting on each side of the apical 

 notch of equal length and breadth. 



Head yellowish-cinereous, shining. Eyes dark brown, Rostrum 

 cinereous, last joint black. 



