198 AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY. 



masses of eggs are deposited on the bark of trees, on fence-rails, under 

 the eaves of out-buildings, or wherever the female chances to be 



FIG. 167. Prionidus cristatus. (From Glover ) 



at the time of oviposition, to the number of 70 or more. The 

 nymphs when young are blood-red, with black marks, and do not 

 resemble the adult insect excepting somewhat in form and in habits. 

 Both the nymphs and adults feed upon all other insects they can 

 overcome, not even sparing their own kind. " They kill their prey 

 by inserting into it the proboscis, which ejects a most powerful 

 poisonous liquid into the wound. The victim thus pierced dies in a 

 very short time. They then leisurely suck the juices out, and drop 

 the empty skin. The perfect insect is of a gray color, and has a high 

 semicircular ridge or projection on the crest of its thorax." (Glover.) 



Family XXIIL NABID.E.* 



We have but few representatives of the Nabidce ; but some of 

 them are very common. In this family the body is oblong, and 



* Nabidae : Nabis, a proper name. 



