IO2 The Under-Water World 



Scorpions which are to be met with in 

 almost every pond. 



The Boatman (Notonecta glauca) is a 

 very active inhabitant of most ponds in 

 this country and other members of the 

 family are widely spread throughout 

 the world. The habit of swimming 

 on the back with the aid of the hind 

 legs moving exactly like a pair of 

 oars has earned for these insects their 

 popular name. The supply of air is 

 carried beneath the wings. Eggs are 

 laid in the stems of aquatic plants 

 and the young larvae are small editions 

 of their parents ; but possess only 

 very rudimentary wings. Boatmen are 

 very predaceous. If kept in a small 

 aquarium they will attack the other 

 inmates, be they small fish, tadpoles or 

 insect larvae, and obtain their nourish- 

 ment by sucking the juices of the victim 

 through a large proboscis. If handled 

 carelessly the Boatmen are capable of 



