208 HEMIPTERA. 



an inch in length, and is common in stagnant water. Its large 

 front legs, somewhat resembling the claws of a scorpion, have given 

 rise to the name by which it is popularly known. 



Ranatra Linearis, Linn., which measures about two inches in 

 length, including the respiratory tube, is our largest Hemipterous 

 insect. It is of a brownish-yellow colour, and its body is long 

 and narrow, differing very much in shape from that of any other 

 genus of this family, although its large front legs and long respira- 

 tory tube show it to be closely allied to the water-scorpion. Un- 

 like other species of this family, it is by no means an active insect, 

 creeping rather slowly at the bottom of the water. It is not very 

 abundant in England. Notwithstanding its sluggish habits, it is 

 just as voracious as any of its allies, being very destructive, not 

 only to fish-spawn, but even to small fish, which it pierces with its 

 powerful rostrum, grasping them firmly at the same time with its 

 claws. 1 This insect is nearly always more or less infested with a 

 small red water-mite belonging to the genus Leptus, Latr. 



FAMILY XV. Notonedidce. 



Body rather convex ; eyes very large ; front legs not raptorial, 

 rather short, middle legs longer, and hind legs still longer, shaped 

 like oars, and fringed with long hairs. 



These insects are called Water Boatmen, from their habit of 

 rowing themselves about on their backs with their long hind legs. 

 They are carnivorous, feeding on small insects, etc. At night they 

 leave the water, and fly about like the species of Naucoris. The 

 most typical species is perhaps Notonecta Glauca, Linn., a yellowish 

 insect about half an inch long, which is not uncommon in England. 



HEMIPTERA HOMOPTERA. 



Wings four, membranous, roof-like (one or both pairs occasion- 

 ally wanting) ; head generally soldered to the thorax ; antennse 

 generally short. 



This extensive sub-order includes the Cicadas, Lantern Flies, 

 Plant Lice, Scale Insects, etc. All our British species are of mode- 

 rate or small size, and are generally rather inconspicuous insects, 

 but the Homoptem of warmer climates are often very remarkable 

 for their size and beauty, some species of Cicadidce even surpassing 

 the gigantic Belostomce in their dimensions, while many of the 

 1 Entomologist, xi. pp. 95, 119, and 120. 



