2O Descriptive Zoology. 



genious catch, consisting of a little projection or hook on 

 the side of the thorax, that catches into a groove in the 

 under surface of the front edge of the wing. 



There are two forms of water bugs common. Belostoma 

 americanum has a groove in the femur of each front leg, 

 into which the tibia shuts like a knife blade into a handle. 

 The other form, Benacu s gt iseus, lacks this groove. 



The Squash Bug. Although smaller than the giant 

 water bug, the squash bug has the advantage of being 

 more abundant. If the former cannot be obtained, the 

 latter should be studied. Like the water bug, it has a 

 small head with a sharp beak, bent back under the head 

 and thorax. The outer wings, too, have a thickened base, 

 with the thin hind portions of the hind wings overlapping 

 each other. The thinner inner wings are folded lengthwise. 

 The legs are adapted to crawling. The prothorax is large 

 and triangular. On the under surface of the thorax are 

 glands which secrete an ill-smelling liquid. This is a rather 

 common characteristic of Hemiptera, and brings the "bugs " 

 into disrepute. This is a further reason why we should not 

 use the term "bug" indiscriminately for the term "insect." 

 It is incorrect, and as unfair as it would be to designate all 

 mankind by the name of one of the most disagreeable tribes 

 of savages that could be found. 



As is well known, the squash bug lives upon plants, suck- 

 ing their juices through its strong, piercing beak, doing con- 

 siderable damage, especially to plants of the gourd family. 

 The eggs are laid on the under surface of the leaves about 

 the first of July, and in August the young may be seen 

 with the wings in all stages of development. 



The Cicadas. These insects are often improperly called 

 "locusts." Probably they are best known by the shrill 



