192 



ORDER VII. HETEROPTERA. 



721. THESE Insects bear a close general resemblance to those 

 of the last Order ; but are distinguished by the characters of the 

 anterior pair of wings, which are tough at their bases and mem- 

 branous only towards their points, and which fold nearly hori- 

 zontally, partly overlapping each 

 other. The mouth is formed nearly 

 on the same plan as that of the 

 Homoptera; being adapted solely 

 for suction. By far the greater 

 number of the Insects of this Order 

 feed, like the preceding, upon the 

 juices of plants ; but some of them 

 prey upon other and weaker Insects ; 

 FIG. 417.-PKNTATOMA. and a few species (of which the 



numbers, however, sometimes mul- 

 tiply to a great extent) suck the juices of larger animals. The 

 majority of this Order are found in tropical climates ; and the 

 species that inhabit those regions, are mostly ornamented with a 

 great variety of beautiful colours and markings, which often vie 

 with those of the most splendid of the Beetle tribes. Many 

 species, however, are of aquatic habits ; and these are all of an 

 obscure or black colour. Nearly all the terrestrial species have 

 the power of emitting, when they are suddenly alarmed or 

 touched, a powerful odour ; which is of a pleasing character in 

 some species, but which in others (as the common Bed-bug) is 

 very disgusting. Many of them seem to eject a poisonous fluid 

 into the wound which they make for the purpose of suction. 

 In some species, the wings are altogether undeveloped ; or the 

 upper pair is wanting. The insects of this Order continue active, 

 and require food, during all the stages of their existence. They 

 may be divided into two sections, distinguished by their resi- 

 dence, and by the modifications of their structure in accordance 



