MANUAL OF NATUBAL HISTORY. 241 



is formed into a long jointed canal enclosing se- 

 veral fine bristle-like lancets, which are used in per- 

 forating the substances on which they feed. When 

 not employed, this rostrum is laid along the ventral 

 surface of the body, and often extends two thirds of 

 its length. 



These insects arrive at maturity by a series of 

 moultings ; they have no inactive pupa state, but 

 both as larvae and pupae continue lively and feeding, 

 and in general appearance bear a strong resemblance 

 to the perfect insects, the principal difference being 

 the absence of wings in the larva and the possession 

 of these, in an immatured state, and enclosed in 

 cases, on the back of the pupa. When arrived at 

 this stage, one moult completes the tranformation to 

 the imago. 



Most of them possess the property of emitting a 

 strong, and generally very disagreeable odour when 

 handled or crushed. 



VIII. ORDER BUGS (Hemiptera). 



Body depressed ; wings generally horizontal, an- 

 terior pair coriaceous at the base, membranous at the 

 terminal part ; antennae usually long ; mouth in the 

 form of a long jointed canal, which, when unemploy- 

 ed, is laid along the ventral surface of the body. 



The larvae and pupae differ from the perfect insect 

 only in not possessing wings, at which last state 

 they arrive by a succession of moultings. 



I. SUB-ORDER. WATER-BUGS (Hydrocorisa). 

 Antennae very short, concealed beneath the eyes ; 



