NOTONECTA. INSECTS. 323 



TRIBE II. NOTONECTIDES. 



Two anterior feet bent downwards, with the thighs of ordinary 

 size ; tarsi ciliated ; the two posterior feet in the form of oars, 

 ciliated, with the two terminal hooks very small ; body almost 

 cylindrical or ovoid. 



I. With a scutellum, and all fehe tarsi with two joints ; sheath of the rostrum jointed. 



Gen. NOTONECTA, PLEA. 



II. No scutellum in the greater number; anterior tarsi with one joint; sheath of 

 the rostrum striated. 



1. With a scutellum. 



Gen. SIGARA. 



2. No scutellum. 



Gen. CORIXA. 



Gen. NOTONECTA, Lat. Lin. 



Rostrum the length of the head, conical, depressed, and of three 

 joints ; labrum triangular ; antennae very short, concealed 

 under the eyes, slenderest towards their extremity, and of four 

 joints ; body cylindrico-ovoid, with the head vertical ; eyes 

 large ; scutellum distinct, and the elytra inclined ; all the tarsi 

 with four joints ; four anterior feet with two strong hooks at 

 the end ; posterior feet for swimming, with very small hooks. 



The insects of this genus, so named because they swim on their back, have an 

 oblong very convex body, the thorax rounded, concave below, and a triangular 

 scutellum. The anterior feet are doubled or bent, and the posterior ones very large. 

 They live in the water both in their larva and perfect state, and the larvae do not dif- 

 fer from the perfect insects but in wanting wings. They are all carnivorous. 



N. glauca, Lin. Head yellow ; eyes brown ; thorax half black half 

 yellow; scutellum large, velvet black; elytra grayish yellow, with 

 brown marginal spots. Europe. Lat. Hist. xii. pi. 97> fig. 41. 



SECTION II. HOMOPTERA. 



Rostrum arising from the lowest part of the head, between the 

 two anterior feet ; elytra inclined in the greater part, of equal 

 consistence throughout, sometimes resembling wings. 



The insects of this section live on the juices of vegetables. Some experience a 

 complete metamorphosis. The antennas of many have more than six joints. The 

 females are often furnished with an ovipositor, of three serrated plates, which they 

 use as a saw in perforating vegetables for the reception of their ova. 



FAMILY III. CICADARI.E. 



With elytra and wings ; three joints in all the tarsi ; antennae 

 generally small, conical or subulate, of from three to six joints, 

 including the seta which terminates them. The females have 

 a dentated ovipositor. 



TRIBE I. STRIDULANTES. 



Three small;, smooth eyes, and the antennae of six joints ; the 

 males have on each side of the base of the belly an interior 

 drum or musical organ, covered exteriorly by an operculum. 



Gen. CICADA, TIBICEN, (C. pkbeia.) 



