TYPICAL INSECTS 



193 



of insect anatomy. Note the large cross-folded wings. Lift 

 up one of the front pair. It will be seen that the iirst half of 

 the wing is thick and hard; the rest, thin and membranous. 

 The imder wings are thin and beautifully nerved. The legs 

 are large and muscular. The hind pairs are flattened and 

 fringed so as to serve as 

 paddles. The first pair 

 are modified into sharp 

 grasping and piercing 

 arms. This bug is a fierce, 

 predatory creature, seizing 

 and killing all kinds of 

 aquatic insects, and even 

 larger animals, like small 

 fish, etc. It has a sharp- 

 jointed beak, which it gen- 

 erally carries folded under 

 its head, but which may 

 be thrust into its prey. A 

 poisonous fluid is also ejected through it, which paralyzes 

 small animals and even causes painful wounds in those who 

 handle it carelessly. 



During the youthful stage the bug has no wings, but other- 

 wise resembles the adult, except in size. It is wholly aquatic 

 at this time, but, during the mating season, the aduhs leave 

 the water and swarm about at night. The eggs are laid in 

 the water. 



To most people the term " bug " is synonymous with the 

 word insect, but to the entomologist the word means a distinct 

 order of insects. Bugs, as a rule, have wings like the electric- 

 light bug; that is, the outer pair are half hard and half mem- 



FlG. 52. Head and Beak of a Bug. 



(Photomicrograph.) 



