HEMIPTEEA. 167 



different texture, their front part being stiff and 

 leathery, while their hinder margins are membranous 

 and thin. It may likewise be noted that the mem- 

 branous portion of one wing when in a state of 

 repose overlaps that of its fellow. Their mouth is 

 adapted for piercing the skin, and imbibing the 

 juices of the animals upon which they live. Instead 

 of cutting jaws, such as we have met with in the man- 

 dibulate orders of insects, we now find the parts of 

 the mouth to consist of a long beak, or rostrum, along 

 the upper surface of which runs a groove, wherein 

 are lodged four long, sharp-pointed filaments, that 

 constitute a kind of sting. The 

 Hemiptera retain in all the three 

 stages of their growth the same form 

 and the same habits ; the only change 

 that they undergo consists in the 

 development of their wings, the rudi- 

 ments of which first make their ap- 

 pearance when they enter into the 

 pupa state. These insects are usually 

 known by the general name of Bugs, 

 a term which in itself is sufficient to **' 129 - F 

 cast obloquy upon the whole race ; many of them, 

 however, are large and richly coloured, and we have 

 seen one preserved in fluid, and set in a brooch, 

 which rivalled many a gem in beauty and in brilliancy. 

 They usually lurk about plants, and prey upon hapless 

 insects, into whose bodies they plunge their piercing 

 sucker, and thus obtain their food. 



The Hemiptera are divided by naturalists into two 

 great sections, named respectively Geocorysse* and 

 Hydrocorys8e,f two very hard words, which, however, 

 when translated into plain English, mean Land-bugs 

 and Water-bugs; of the former of these sections we 

 have already spoken, but the latter will require a few 

 words of notice. 



Perhaps no locality could be pointed out more 



* 7*)> ge, the earth ; n6pis, coris, a bug. 

 t i/5 o>p, udor, water ; /ccfyns, coris, a bug. 



