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into limbs like the pedipalps of a scorpion hence the name. I have kept 

 these insects under observation in a small aquarium ; they are extremely 

 interesting but very rapacious, and no other small aquatic creatures must 

 be kept with them. They measure about an inch long, and are identified 

 by their scorpion-like " jaws " and the long tube (often miscalled tail) at the 

 end of the abdomen, by which the insect breathes. This it does by coming to 

 the surface, turning upside down, and pushing its tube through to the air. 

 The " jaws " that is, the front-legs are not unlike a pocket-knife in action, 

 the first joint being the blade, which fits into a groove in the second joint, 

 and thus holds its victim in a veritable vice. It feeds on all sorts of small 

 water-creatures, larvae, shrimps, tadpoles, and small fish. The insect can fly 

 well, and indeed leaves the water frequently at dusk ; therefore, if kept in 

 confinement the top of the aquarium must remain covered. 



It is a peculiarly fierce creature in the water, and will destroy far more 

 victims than it requires for food. 



Sub-order ii. Homoptera. 



Under this heading come the Cicadas (of which one small species is 

 occasionally found in Britain), Lantern-flies, Froghoppers, Aphides, scale 

 insects, and others. 



Lantern-flies, several small species of which are found in Britain, are so 

 called from the curious processes projecting from the head of some species. 

 Many have brilliantly coloured wings. 



Froghoppers. The commonest British species is well known as the 

 Cuckoo-spit Insect (Philcenus spumarius), so called because the white froth 

 found on grasses and bushes in spring time, in which the larva (and nymph) 

 resides, was supposed to be the saliva of the cuckoo. The fact, however, is that 

 the little yellowish green creature sucks the juices of its plant-host, and there- 

 with surrounds itself with the " froth " which issues from its body. What 

 purpose this serves is not known, but probably it helps to protect the insect 

 from its foes. The nymphs may be distinguished by their rudimentary wings. 

 The perfect insects have remarkable leaping powers, as the name suggests. 



Plant-lice (Aphides), known as GREEN-FLY, or BLIGHT, found too numer- 

 ously on our rose trees, consist of many species, which live by plunging 

 their piercing proboscis into the juicy tissues of the young shoots to suck 

 the sap. Many species have a pair of teats or tubes on the abdomen which 

 secrete a waxy substance appearing at first as oil-like globules. Ants 

 frequently find their way up rose trees for the purpose of " milking " these 

 insects. The sweet liquid called " honey-dew," noticeable under lime trees, 

 was supposed to be this substance ; but it is now known to be derived, not 

 from the tubes, but from the alimentary canal of these plant-lice. Typical 

 aphides have two pairs of wings, but most (in the majority of species) are 

 quite wingless. 



