108 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



In the remainder of the family the hemelytra and wings are generally well developed, but 

 the insects exhibit the same flattened form as the unwelcome inhabitant of our sleeping rooms, and 

 like it are able to make their way into very confined spaces. Many of them reside habitually under 

 the loose bark of dead trees, where they are generally found associated in some nximbers. Aradus 

 depressus, the most abundant native species of these Bark Bugs, is less than a quarter of an inch long, 

 blackish-brown with lighter granules, with the greater part of the lateral margins of the prothorax 

 yellowish-white, and the hemelytra of the same colour, but mottled and variegated with brown. It is 

 found under loose bark and in moss. These insects are probably predaceous, but according to some 

 writers they feed on fungi. 



The species of the genus Tingis and its allies are minute and exceedingly delicate creatures, 

 having the margins of the thorax and the whole of the hemelytra quite membranaceous and generally 

 reticulated with numerous veins. One of the best known species (Monanthia cardui) is found 

 abundantly upon thistles. It is about an eighth of an inch long, of a greyish colour, variegated with 

 small black spots. Other species are still more elegant, having the membranous parts quite 

 transparent, with black veins. They are found upon various trees and plants, chiefly herbaceous, 

 upon the juices of which they appear to feed. 



In the insects just mentioned the scutellum is usually concealed by a projection of the hinder 

 margin of the thorax ; in another group of the family it is exposed, and sometimes even attains 

 a large size. These insects, which are generally inhabitants of warm countries, have the fore legs 

 converted into raptorial organs, and possess two ocelli. Two species (Syrtis crassipes and S. monstrosa) 

 are found in Central and Southern Europe. 



FAMILY VIIL REDUVIID^;. 



This is a great group of insects presenting much analogy with that which we have included 

 under the family Coreidae, both in general form and in the modifications which that form undergoes 



in the various mem- 

 bers, but differing from 

 them nevertheless in 

 several important 



characters. They have 

 the head of various 

 forms, but always con- 

 stricted behind so as 

 to form a regular neck, 

 and in front of this 

 there are two distinct 

 ocelli. The antennae 

 are four-jointed, with 

 the last two joints 

 generally thinner than 

 the first and second ; 

 the rostrum, which is 

 not enclosed in a 

 furrow, is composed of 

 three joints, and is 

 generally a short, stout, 

 and powerful organ ; 

 the legs are generally 

 long, with short, three- 



PEBSONATUS. jointed tarsi, and the 



anterior pair are some- 

 times converted into raptorial limbs. All these insects, the species of which are exceedingly 

 numerous in tropical regions, are predaceous in their habits, attacking and sucking out the juices 



