168 



HEMIPTERA 



abounding in food than the surface of stagnant water. 

 Countless insects are continually falling into every 

 pond, where their drowned carcases may be seen 

 floating. It is to utilize this abundant store of 

 provisions that the Hydrocorysse have been specially 

 constructed. Such, for example, are 



The Water-measurers or Skip-jacks (Hydrometra)* 

 anywhere to be seen in summer time, in every ditch, 

 running upon the surface of the water with as much 

 activity as though it was frozen into ice, and not even 

 wetting their feet. These, from above are reaping a rich 

 harvest of dead flies which they pierce with their beaks, 

 and suck their juices ; while, from below, 



The Water-boatmen (Notonecta)^ are eagerly engaged 

 in sharing such a rich supply of nutriment. These Noto- 



FlG. 130. METAMORPHOSES OF WATER-BOATMAN. 



nectse swim upon their backs, using their long hind-legs 

 as oars, and thus they dart on any drowning fly that 

 happens to attract their notice. 



* O'Scop, udor, water ; ^uerpeco, metreo, I measure. 

 f VWTOS, notos, the back ; VTJKTTIS, nectes, a swimmer. 



