BUGS. 125 



branous and thin. It may likewise be noted that the membran- 

 ous 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 mandibulate 

 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 rudiments of which first make 

 their appearance 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 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 

 FIG. i2 9 .-FiELD BL-G. whose bodies they plunge their piercing sucker, 



and thus obtain their food. 



The Hemiptera are divided by naturalists into two great sec- 

 tions, named respectively Geocorysae * and HydrocoryS8B,t 

 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 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 pro- 

 visions that the Hydrocorysae 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 peirce with their beaks and suck their juices ; while, from below, 



* Yn> g e > the earth ; /f6pts, coris, a bug. f SSup, udor, -water ; if6pis, cons, a bug. 



+ vdwp, udor, -water ; /ier/sew, metreo, / measure. 



