THEIR AFFINITIES. 129 



dent facts in natural history, being accompanied with 

 an utter disregard to the authority of all entomologists/' * 

 The same author also states that " the transition is 

 effected through the medium of the Notonectidce (or 

 boat flies), and other Hydrocorisa of Latreille ; which 

 coincide with the Cicadides, in the small developement 

 of their antennae and conical rostrum ; and with the true 

 (or typical) Hemiptera, in their rostrum being frontal, 

 their elytra coriaceous, and their body generally de- 

 pressed. With proper caution, however, the same 

 learned author, not having entered upon the necessary 

 analysis, observes, " it would at present be very blama- 

 ble in me to pretend to determine whether these insects 

 (the Notonectidci) come nearest to the hemipterous or 

 homopterous (or Cicades) type ; but I may observe that 

 the probability is on the side of the latter supposition, 

 since the genus Ranatra bears a strong analogy to the 

 Ephemerae. We perceive, however, the wings of the 

 HydrocoristB becoming gradually more coriaceous, or 

 rather corneous, and opake; we perceive them crossing 

 one another more and more, in order to make room for 

 the enlargement of the scutellum, which, with the true 

 ocelli, and quadri-articulate rostrum, is the typical cha- 

 racter of the true Hemiptera (or our Cityicidei)"^ Our 

 analysis of this group has, in a great measure, confirmed 

 these views : we consider the Notonectida as one of the 

 aberrant divisions of the order ; and, from its obvious 

 analogy to the natatorial birds and quadrupeds, we should 

 term this division the natatorial family of the deader. 

 Now, as the Nepidce are obviously the corresponding 

 group among the Cimicides, it follows that this is the 

 point of junction between the two ; although the precise 

 sub-genus by which this passage is effected, has not yet 

 been ascertained. The second affinity regards the con- 

 nection of the Cicades (the Homoptera of some authors) 

 to the Lepidoptera ; and here, again, we shall make use 

 of the same authority in support of own decided opinions 



* Hor. Ent., p. 376. t Hor. Ent., p. 377. 



