38 INSECTS. 



hand of the mole forms a most admirable implement 

 for burrowing. 



Figure 15 displays a pair of unmistakeable nippers, 

 Fig 15 and woe betide the luckless shrimp 



or larva which finds itself between 

 the forceps of the water-scorpion. 

 Of the raptorial character of these 

 arms there can be little doubt. 



It would require too much space 

 to describe here the wonderful fore- 

 Head, thorax, and fore- J e g of the water-beetle Dyticus, 



leg of Naucori cini- .. TI.L-I-.L T i 



caule, magnified, one with tarsus dilated into a disk, 



claw closed. covered with the most exquisite 



little membranous suckers ; the hind leg of the hive- 

 bee, furnished on one side with a basket in which 

 to carry home the stores of pollen collected from flower 

 to flower, and on the other, with rows of combs for use 

 in its manipulations within the hive ; or many another 

 curious and beautiful illustration of the variety to be 

 found in the legs of perfect insects alone. In those of 

 various larvae there are yet other forms, but, as a general 

 rule, these are more simple than in the imago. 



The feet of insects are curious and beautiful. The 

 commonest form is of two claws with one, two, or three 

 soft pads; but the pads are often wanting, and some- 

 times one or both claws. Further description of them 

 is unnecessary here, as they are objects which the stu- 

 dent will find no difficulty in examining for himself. 



The abdomen has little to describe of external organs, 

 the principal being the various ovipositors or instru- 

 ments for the placing of the eggs, which will be de- 

 scribed later, and the spiracles or breathing holes 

 spoken of page 22. These are sometimes exceedingly 



