ATTEMPTED DIVISION OF BRITISH INSECTS. 427 



but apparently unnaturally, on the blood of vertebrate animals. 

 Cimex, 1 &c. 



Stirps. — Hydrometrina. 



Natural Order. — Hydrometrites, Water-bugs. 



Antennae elongate, conspicuous, four- or five-jointed ; fore-wings 

 coriaceous, of uniform substance ; hind-wings membranaceous ; 

 all the wings linear; legs of uniform structure, very long, not 

 formed for leaping ; tarsi three-jointed ; body elongate, linear : 

 aquatic, running with ease and rapidity on the surface of water. 

 Hydrometra, Gerris, Velia. 



Stirps. — Nepina. 



Natural Order.- — Nepites, Water-scorpions. 



Antennae very short, concealed below the head ; fore-wings cori- 

 aceous, crossed at the apex ; hind-wings membranaceous, com- 

 pletely concealed beneath them ; fore-legs hooked, predatory ; 

 tarsi with a single joint ; middle- and hind-legs not formed 

 for swimming ; tarsi two-jointed ; tail armed with two long 

 setaceous appendages : aquatic ; carnivorous ; crawl on aquatic 

 plants, but do not swim. Ranatra, Nepa. 



Stirps. — Notonectina. 



Natural Order. — Notonectites, Water -boatmen. 



Antennae very short, concealed below the head ; fore- and hind- 

 wings as in the preceding ; fore-legs unarmed, middle- and hind- 

 legs formed for swimming ; all the tarsi two-jointed ; tail without 

 appendages : aquatic ; carnivorous ; swim with ease, swiftness, 

 and elegance ; cannot crawl on aquatic plants like the preceding. 

 Naucoris, Notonecta, Corixa, Sigara. 



Stirps. — Cicadina. 



Natural Order. — Cicadites, Frog-hoppers. 



Antennae very short, scarcely projecting beyond the head ; fore- 

 wings coriaceous, meeting with a straight suture ; hind-wings 

 membranaceous ; hind-legs incrassated, formed for leaping ; tarsi 

 three-jointed ; leap readily ; fly badly. Inhabit vegetables, on 

 the sap of which they feed. Cicada, Cercopis, Membracis, 

 Psylla, &c. 



' The Cimicites require further division. See M. de Laporte's excellent 

 classification of them. 



