POND LIFE. 



109 



Place immediately below this label the following 

 one, and then arrange the water-striders just selected 

 beneath this second label ; put each species of water- 

 strider in a row by itself : — 



Family Hydrobatid^ (Hyd-ro-bat'i-dae). 

 The Water-striders. 



Fig. 89 represents a member of the second family 

 of water-striders, somewhat enlarged. These insects 

 can be distinguished from the true 

 water-striders by their comparatively 

 short legs and broad prothorax. If 

 you have any specimens of this fami- 

 ly arrange them just after the true 

 water-striders and below the follow- Fig. 89. — a broad- 



, , , shouldered water- 



ing label :— strider. 



Family Veliid^ (Ve-li'i-dae). 

 The Broad-shouldered Water-striders. 



The Habits of Water-striders {School Work). 

 — Write an account of what you have learned regard- 

 ing water-striders. 



The Structure of Water-striders {School 

 Work). — Select one of the true water-striders, prefer- 

 ably a large one like that represented by Fig 88, and 

 study the following parts. 



I. The body is covered with microscopic hairs, 

 those on the lower side are longer and usually silvery 

 white in color. These doubtless form a waterproof 

 coating, and add much to the beauty of the insects, 

 causing them to appear like white-bottomed boats 

 when on the water. 



