WATEE-B0GS, WATEK-SCOEPIONS, ETC. 231 



G. argentata is the smallest of all the Gerridc^ but it is by 

 no means common. All the members of this genus have a 

 fine, hair-like covering beneath their bodies. They use their 

 fore pair of legs for seizlag their prey, their intermediate pair 

 for rowing themselves along upon the surface of the water, 

 and they steer by means of the last pair. Their antennse are 

 fouTijouited, and their wings are carried so close to their 

 bodies that there is some little difficulty in detecting them. 

 Their eyes are prominent, and their beaks, when not wanted, 

 are kept folded back beneath the fore-part of their bodies. 

 Most of the Gerridoe hibernate in the winter-time beneath 

 some stone or piece of wood and the like close to the water's 

 edge, occasionally leaving these quarters upon any fine and 

 mild days which may happen during that season. The 

 smaller species of the Gerridce are more gregarious than the 

 larger. 



Velia currens, a common and very active little water-runnei-, 

 is exceedingly abundant, and more suitable for the aquarium 

 than any of the HydrometridcB already mentioned. It seems 

 to be a very contented insect, and readily submits to captivity. 

 It is, however, a skilful eUmber, often astonishing its owner 

 by its adroitness in escaping from an apparently quite secure 

 prison. When it has been a short time in the aquarium, it 

 becomes tame, and eagerly attacks the food which is given to 

 it. Half-a-dozen of these insects will quickly extract all the 

 nutriment they can from the body of a bluebottle. Flies 

 seem to be their most suitable food while in confinement ; but 

 if these cannot be procured, they will satisfy their hunger 

 with a piece of raw meat. This lively little insect is some- 

 times caUed the "Water- Cricket, and may be found upon nearly 

 every pond or stream, and frequently at any season of the 

 year. It is hot quite ^in- loJig> of a dark brown colour, with 

 two orange stripes along the back. It very seldom has wings. 

 In summer-time great numbers of these FeZice are found 

 together, and they do not seem to care about choosing the 

 smoothest pieces of water for their meetings. Besides the 

 HydrometridcB just mentioned, there are other interesting 

 members of the family which might be kept in confinement. 



