THE UEDUVHD^. 123 



the most rapacious. Their very aspect seems to indi- 

 cate predatory instincts: their small head, prominent 

 eyes, frequently short, robust, and raptorial anterior 

 legs, and lengthened posterior ones, combined with a 

 compact but long body, convey an idea of agility and 

 strength, which seem, in some respects, analogous to 

 the concurrent structure in the feline Mammalia ; and 

 many of them are equally nocturnal in their habits. In 

 one genus, in particular, the South American Cono- 

 rhinus, there is as strong a disposition as in Cimex to 

 feed upon blood ; for we find that it frequents houses, 

 and attacks sleeping persons. This genus also exhibits, 

 perhaps, the largest species of the family, the C. me. 

 gistus, being frequently more than an inch and a half 

 long : indeed, this family contains generally large in- 

 sects. Although, perhaps, the normal number of joints 

 to the antenniE throughout the heteropterous division of 

 the Hemiptera is not to exceed five, we here frequently 

 find a divergence from it, — in some extending to eight ; 

 and in one in particular, the Hammatocerus, the num- 

 ber reaches thirty,— the usual second joint being sub- 

 divided into these numerous articulations. Some species 

 are remarkable for producing, under irritation, a chirp- 

 ing noise, like several of the Longicorn Coleoptera ; and 

 one, the Prionotus serratus, has been observed to give 

 an electric shock. The accuracy of this, Burmeister 

 doubts ; and, indeed, it does appear very startling ; yet 

 Messrs. Kirby and Spence mention it upon such high 

 authority, that its veracity it would be temerity to 

 impugn.' Their words are*, " The late major-general 

 Davis, of the Royal Artillery, well known as a most 

 accurate observer of nature, and an indefatigable col- 

 lector of her treasures, as well as a most admirable 

 painter of them, once informed me, that when abroad, 

 having taken up this animal [Reduvius serratus), and 

 placed it upon his hand, it gave him a considerable 

 shock, as if from an electric jar, with its legs, which he 



• Introd, to Entom, L 108, 



