HEMIPTERA. 171 
Notonecra, Geoff., Fab. 
Where the scutellum is very distinct, the rostrum forms an arti- 
culated and elongated cone, the wings are tectiform, and all the tarsi 
biarticulated. The four posterior legs are geniculate, and have sim- 
ple, cylindrical tarsi, terminated by two hooks. 
N. glauca, L., Rees., Ib., XXVII. Six lines in length; yel- 
lowish above, with a russet tint on the elytra, the inner margin 
of which is spotted with blackish; scutellum black. 
To seize its prey with more facility it swims on its back; it 
stings severely *. 
The second section of the Hemiptera, that of the Homorrera, Lat., 
is distinguished from the preceding one by the following characters : 
the rostrum arises from the lowest portion of the head, near the pec- 
tus, or even from the interval between the two anterior legs: the 
elytra—almost always tectiform—are of the same consistence through- 
out and semimembranous, sometimes almost similar to the wings. 
The three segments of the trunk are united en masse, and the first is 
frequently shorter than the second. 
All the Insects of this section feed exclusively on Spaeate juices. 
The females are provided with a scaly ovipositor +, usually composed 
of three dentated blades, and lodged ina groove with two valves. 
They use it asa saw to produce openings in plants, in which they 
deposit their eggs. The last Insects of this section experience a sort 
of complete metamorphosis. 
I will divide it into three families. 
FAMILY I. 
— 
CICADARIA. 
This family comprises those which have triarticulated tarsi, and 
usually very small, conical, or fusiform antenne, composed of from 
three to six joints, the extremely attenuated seta which terminates 
* Fab., Syst. Ryngot.; Lat., Gener. Crust. et Insect., JII, p.150. The genus 
Plea, Leach, which that gentleman establishes on the Nofonecta minutissima of Lin- 
nus, and which must not be confounded with the one so styled by Fabricius and 
other entomologists, differs from Notonecta, inasmuch as the third joint of the an- 
tenne is larger than the others, and because those of the anterior tarsi are almost 
of the same length, and the hooks of the posterior ones are large. The body is 
shorter, aud the elytra entirely crustaceous, arched, and truncated at the exterior 
angle of their base. A piece is observed there, analozous to that remarked in the 
same place in the Cetonie. 
+ Called oviscapte by M. Marcel de Serres. 
N2 
